The Power of Influence by John Maxwell: Top 10 Takeaways

Top 10 Takeaways from The Power of Influence by John Maxwell

The Power of Influence by John Maxwell is a classic book on the subject of influence. In this book, Maxwell outlines his 7 Laws of Influence, which he believes are the key principles to successful leadership and persuasion.

Here are the 10 key takeaways from The Power of Influence:

Influence is a choice. We all have the power to influence others, but we have to choose to use it.
The key to influence is to understand the other person’s needs. When we understand what motivates people, we can better communicate with them and build relationships.
Trust is the foundation of influence. People are more likely to be influenced by those they trust.
Respect is another key ingredient of influence. People are more likely to be influenced by those they respect.
Honesty is essential for building trust and respect. People can’t be influenced if they don’t believe you.
Consistency is important for maintaining trust and respect. People are more likely to be influenced by those who are consistent in their words and actions.
Positive relationships are essential for building influence. People are more likely to be influenced by those they like and respect.
Credibility is key to influence. People are more likely to be influenced by those they believe are credible.
Persuasion is the art of influencing people to change their minds. It’s important to use persuasion ethically and responsibly.

These are just a few of the key takeaways from The Power of Influence. If you want to learn more about influence, I highly recommend reading this book.

II. The 3 Levels of Influence

John Maxwell identifies three levels of influence:

Level 1: Positional Influence
Level 2: Personal Influence
Level 3: Transformational Influence

Positional influence is the power that comes from one’s position or title. Personal influence is the power that comes from one’s character and relationships. Transformational influence is the power that comes from one’s ability to inspire and motivate others to change.

Maxwell argues that the most effective leaders are those who have a strong foundation in all three levels of influence. They understand the power of their position, but they also know how to build strong relationships and inspire others to achieve great things.

3. The 5 Keys to Influence

John Maxwell identifies five keys to influence:

Be credible
Be believable
Be passionate
Be persistent
Be relevant

He argues that if you want to be influential, you need to develop these five qualities in yourself.

Credibility is the foundation of influence. People are more likely to be influenced by someone they trust and respect. To build credibility, you need to be honest, trustworthy, and competent.

Believable is the next key to influence. People are more likely to be influenced by someone they believe in. To be believable, you need to be consistent in your words and actions.

Passion is another key to influence. People are more likely to be influenced by someone who is passionate about their work. To be passionate, you need to be excited about what you do and why you do it.

Persistence is also important. People are more likely to be influenced by someone who is persistent and doesn’t give up easily. To be persistent, you need to be determined to achieve your goals and never give up on your dreams.

Finally, relevance is key. People are more likely to be influenced by someone who is relevant to their lives. To be relevant, you need to understand the needs of your audience and speak to them in a way that they can relate to.

If you can develop these five keys to influence, you will be well on your way to becoming a more influential person.

4. The 6 Sources of Influence

John Maxwell identifies six sources of influence:

Position
Power
Personal Magnetism
Communication
Character
Servanthood

He argues that each of these sources of influence can be developed and used to create a more positive and influential impact on others.

Positional influence is the power that comes from one’s position or title. For example, a CEO has more positional influence than a factory worker.

Powerful people can use their influence to make things happen. They can get things done and get people to do things.

Personal magnetism is the ability to attract people to you. People with personal magnetism are often charismatic and likeable. They have a way of making people feel good about themselves.

Communication is the ability to share your thoughts and ideas effectively. People who are good communicators are able to get their message across in a clear and concise way.

Character is the foundation of all other sources of influence. People with strong character are trustworthy, reliable, and ethical. They are people who others can look up to and respect.

Servanthood is the act of putting others before yourself. People who are servants are selfless and helpful. They are always willing to go the extra mile to help others.

Maxwell argues that the most effective leaders are those who have a strong foundation in all six sources of influence. These leaders are able to use their influence to make a positive impact on the world.

V. The 7 Laws of Influence

John Maxwell identifies seven laws of influence that he believes are essential for anyone who wants to be successful in life. These laws are:

The Law of the Lid
The Law of Influence
The Law of Reciprocity
The Law of Expectation
The Law of Rapport
The Law of Persuasion
The Law of Authority

Maxwell argues that by understanding and applying these laws, you can increase your influence in all areas of your life, including your personal relationships, your career, and your community.

For more information on the seven laws of influence, I encourage you to read John Maxwell’s book, The Power of Influence.

VI. The 8 Principles of Influence

John Maxwell identifies eight principles of influence that he believes are essential for effective leadership. These principles are:

The Principle of Vision
The Principle of Integrity
The Principle of Passion
The Principle of Positive Attitude
The Principle of Servanthood
The Principle of Teamwork
The Principle of Communication
The Principle of Perseverance

Maxwell argues that these principles are essential for creating a positive and productive work environment, and for building strong relationships with others. He believes that by following these principles, leaders can become more influential and effective in their work.

VII. The 9 Strategies of Influence

John Maxwell identifies nine strategies of influence that can be used to build relationships, motivate others, and achieve goals. These strategies are:

Be credible
Be believable
Be approachable
Be relevant
Be passionate
Be persistent
Be patient
Be positive
Be grateful

By following these strategies, you can increase your influence and achieve your goals.

VIII. The 10 Tactics of Influence

The 10 tactics of influence are as follows:

Be believable
Be credible
Be likeable
Be relevant
Be timely
Be specific
Be persuasive
Be persistent
Be patient
Be grateful

By using these tactics, you can increase your ability to influence others and achieve your goals.

IX. Conclusion

In conclusion, The Power of Influence is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to become more influential. John Maxwell’s principles and strategies are based on decades of experience and research, and they can help you to build strong relationships, achieve your goals, and make a positive impact on the world.

If you’re ready to take your influence to the next level, I encourage you to read The Power of Influence and put its principles into practice. You won’t be disappointed.