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16 Best Books on Influence for Mastering Persuasion and Leadership

16 Best Books on Influence for Mastering Persuasion and Leadership

Ever notice how some people get what they want EVERY SINGLE TIME? Those moments when you find yourself agreeing before you realize what happened. That's not magical talent — that's influence.

Books on influence decode exactly how it works: the psychology behind why we say yes, the patterns that build trust, and the communication tricks that actually land. Whether you're trying to rally your team, win over a tough client, or just get your point across, these reads give you the playbook.

What you'll actually learn from books about influence

Real magic happens when we finally understand people. Why does your colleague always get credit? How do certain brands make you want stuff you didn't even know existed? These books pull back the curtain on decision-making — yours and everyone else's.

There are hundreds of books about influence in the Headway app, and here are 16 to get you started:

  1. 'Pre-Suasion' by Robert Cialdini

  2. 'Influence, New and Expanded' by Robert B. Cialdini

  3. 'The Catalyst' by Jonah Berger

  4. 'Too Much and Never Enough' by Mary L. Trump

  5. 'Win Bigly' by Scott Adams

  6. 'Influencer' by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler

  7. 'TED Talks' by Chris Anderson

  8. 'How to Lead When You're Not in Charge' by Clay Scroggins

  9. 'Words That Change Minds' by Shelle Rose Charvet

  10. 'You Can Read Anyone' by David J. Lieberman

  11. 'The Charisma Myth' by Olivia Fox Cabane

  12. 'Exactly What to Say' by Phil M. Jones

  13. 'Never Split the Difference' by Chris Voss

  14. 'The Tipping Point' by Malcolm Gladwell

  15. 'Crucial Conversations' by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler

  16. 'The 48 Laws of Power' by Robert Greene

Some dig into the neuroscience of trust. Others share war stories from hostage negotiators on how reciprocity really works. You'll find breakdowns on how scarcity makes people panic-buy concert tickets, or why telling a story beats a slide full of facts every time. 

How to find the right influence book for your goal

The key is to match the book to your goal. Running a team? You'll want a title that blends leadership psychology with practical management moves. In sales? Look for books heavy on negotiation and reading people. Just want to stop getting walked over in meetings? Start with the fundamentals — the ones that explain the core principles without overwhelming you.

The best approach is to mix and match. Headway lets you test-drive the big ideas from all these different angles in 15 minutes each. Every summary is also available as an audio version, so you can learn these game-changing skills on the go. Pop in your earbuds during your commute or while you're at the gym and absorb the key concepts. 

PRO TIP: Skip the titles that don't click and dive deeper into the ones that do — because this is the only way to extract the most valuable ideas from each of them.

You can also use Headway growth plans. Just open the app and choose a goal — like becoming a more effective leader or building stronger relationships — and Headway will create a personalized learning journey for you. It'll handpick the perfect book summaries in the right order, so you gain new skills faster.

Find your next read with a short quiz

Pre-Suasion

by Robert Cialdini

Read in 15 min

What is Pre-Suasion about?

This book explores the art of persuasion, emphasizing the importance of the moments leading up to a message delivery. It introduces the concept of 'pre-suasion,' which highlights how the context and environment can prime people to be more receptive to subsequent messages. Through psychological insights and real-world examples, it demonstrates how to strategically influence decisions before any overt persuasion takes place.

Who should read Pre-Suasion

  • Marketing professionals seeking effective persuasion techniques.
  • Salespeople aiming to enhance their influencing skills.
  • Psychologists interested in understanding human decision-making processes.
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book

The Catalyst

by Jonah Berger

Read in 15 min

What is The Catalyst about?

This insightful guide explores the art of persuasion, revealing how to influence others effectively. By examining the key elements that drive change, the author provides practical strategies for making ideas stick and altering perceptions. Through compelling stories and research-backed techniques, readers will learn how to become catalysts for change in their personal and professional lives, unlocking the secrets to transforming minds.

Who should read The Catalyst

  • Business leaders seeking effective persuasion techniques.
  • Marketers aiming to influence consumer behavior.
  • Anyone interested in psychology of decision making.
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book

Too Much and Never Enough

by Mary L. Trump PhD

Read in 15 min

What is Too Much and Never Enough about?

This insightful analysis delves into the psychological impact of a dysfunctional family on its members, particularly focusing on the dynamics that shaped a powerful figure. Drawing from personal experiences, the author explores themes of greed, manipulation, and the pursuit of validation within a volatile family environment. The narrative unveils how these factors contributed to the troubling traits of one of the world's most controversial leaders, offering a unique perspective on his upbringing.

Who should read Too Much and Never Enough

  • Psychology enthusiasts seeking insights into family dynamics.
  • Political analysts studying influences on leadership behavior.
  • Readers interested in personal narratives of powerful figures.
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book

Win Bigly

by Scott Adams

Read in 15 min

What is Win Bigly about?

This insightful examination delves into the art of persuasion, highlighting how emotions often outweigh facts in decision-making. Through engaging anecdotes and practical examples, the author explores techniques used in politics and marketing, emphasizing the power of storytelling and visual influence. As he reflects on the 2016 presidential election, the narrative reveals the underlying psychology behind successful persuasion and its implications for society in a post-truth era.

Who should read Win Bigly

  • Marketing professionals seeking to enhance their persuasive skills.
  • Entrepreneurs wanting to master effective communication techniques.
  • Political enthusiasts interested in strategies of influence and persuasion.
Buy on Amazon
book

Influencer

by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler

Read in 15 min

What is Influencer about?

This book explores the pivotal role influencers play in creating change within organizations and society. It combines research with practical tools to illustrate how effectively influencing others can lead to sustainable transformation. Readers learn strategies for recognizing key motivators, communicating effectively, and leveraging emotional intelligence to inspire action. By understanding the psychology behind influence, anyone can become a catalyst for meaningful change.

Who should read Influencer

  • Business leaders seeking effective change strategies.
  • Managers looking to empower team influence dynamics.
  • Individuals interested in improving their leadership skills.
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Frequently asked questions about books on influence

What's the famous book about influencing people?

Dale Carnegie's 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' from 1936. Yeah, it's old, but it still hits. The core idea — make people feel genuinely important and valued — hasn't expired. It's full of Depression-era examples, but the psychology holds up because people haven't really changed that much.

What are the seven principles of influence by Dr. Cialdini?

Cialdini originally outlined six principles in his 1984 book, and then added a seventh in 2016: reciprocity (give to get), commitment and consistency (people stick to their word), social proof (follow the crowd), authority (trust experts), liking (say yes to people you like), scarcity (want what's rare), and unity (shared identity creates influence). Master these, and you'll spot persuasion attempts everywhere.

What's the world's most influential book?

Depends on who you ask. Religious texts like the Bible, Quran, and Bhagavad Gita shaped billions of lives across centuries. Secular candidates include 'The Communist Manifesto' (reshaped governments), 'On the Origin of Species' (changed science forever), or even 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' (fueled abolition movements). Influence isn't just about copies sold — it's about changing how humanity thinks and acts.

Why do books have 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1?

That's the print line for the printing you're holding. Publishers use descending numbers to track editions. First printing shows all ten digits. The second printing removes the "1," the third removes the "2," and so on. It helps collectors identify first editions and lets publishers track how often they've reprinted a book. Pretty mundane answer to something few care about, no?

What's the most life-changing book to read?

This question is completely personal. For some, it's 'Man's Search for Meaning' by Viktor Frankl — finding purpose through suffering changes everything. Others swear by 'The Power of Now' for presence or 'Atomic Habits' for behavior change. The book that rocks your world depends on what you're struggling with right now. 

What's the most influential book of all time?

"Most influential" depends on how you measure influence. For example, the Bible wins by historical impact. The Quran transformed the Middle East. Mao's 'Little Red Book' influenced more than a billion people. Shakespeare's works rewired the English language itself.