The Gift of Influence - by Tommy Spaulding (Hardcover)

About the Book

"An empowering manifesto on how to use influence to make a lasting impact on everyone we meet, from chance encounters to work colleagues to our closest relationships-by the New York Times bestselling author of The Heart-Led Leader. Researchers believe that the average person will influence up to 80,000 people-2.8 people daily-over the course of their lifetime. That's a stadium full of people whom each of us affect positively or negatively, sometimes without us knowing. What if we paid attention to this fact? Would we live differently? Would we lead differently? Would we take more time to put down our phones and instead focus on the person in front of us? Tommy Spaulding believes the answer is yes. In this compelling and deeply personal book, Spaulding explores how we can be more mindful and effective in wielding the influence each of us has over others-in our careers, in our everyday interactions, and in the relationships we cultivate over a lifetime. The Gift of Influence is a manifesto on the everyday actions we can take to make a positive impact on the people we love and lead. Sharing stories from the exceptional leaders he has worked with over the years-from entrepreneurs who have made an impact far beyond their businesses to a teacher who changed the lives of thirty students with one simple lesson-Spaulding gives us a simple recipe for turning transactions into interactions, offering more than "thoughts and prayers" to those in need, and transforming the lives each of us touch as we make our way through the world"--

Book Synopsis

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Heart-Led Leader comes an empowering manifesto on how to use influence to "make a real difference in the lives of those you interact with at work, in your home, and wherever you may roam" (Ken Blanchard, co-author of The One Minute Manager)

"Tommy Spaulding has such a profound gift for storytelling and for collecting wonderful people and experiences."--Liz Wiseman, author of Multipliers

Researchers estimate that the average person will influence up to eighty thousand people over the course of their lifetime--or 2.8 people daily. That's a stadium full of people each of us affects in ways positive or negative, sometimes without our realizing. What if we paid attention to this fact? Would we live differently? Would we lead differently? Would we put down our phones and be more present with the people in front of us?

Tommy Spaulding believes the answer is yes. In this compelling and deeply personal book, Spaulding explores how we can be more mindful and effective in wielding the influence that each of us has over others--in our careers, our everyday interactions, and the relationships we cultivate throughout our lives. Sharing stories from exceptional leaders--from entrepreneurs who have made an impact far beyond their businesses to a teacher who changed the lives of thirty-six students with a simple classroom lesson--Spaulding gives us a simple recipe for leading a life that matters, including

- the power of asking "What's your story?"
- the secret to turning transactions into true interactions
- showing up meaningfully for people in need instead of saying "Let me know how I can help."

For business leaders, educators, parents--everyone who works with people--The Gift of Influence is an essential read on the daily actions that add up to a meaningful life.

Review Quotes

"I'm a raving fan of Tommy Spaulding. He's one of the top leadership thinkers in the world. The Gift of Influence will help you make a real difference in the lives of those you interact with at work, in your home, and wherever you may roam."--Ken Blanchard, New York Times bestselling co-author of The One Minute Manager

"Tommy Spaulding has such a profound gift for storytelling and for collecting wonderful people and experiences. The Gift of Influence will inspire you to create ripples of positive impact and enable you to lead in a new, powerful way."--Liz Wiseman, New York Times bestselling author of Multipliers

"The Gift of Influence inspires us to become better leaders and better human beings. It teaches us that we have the greatest power in the universe: the power to impact the lives of others."--Jon Gordon, New York Times bestselling author of The Energy Bus

"Tommy Spaulding has become one of America's greatest storytellers. I laughed and cried all the way through. I will forever lead and love differently because of the powerful message in this book."--Kelli Valade, president and CEO of Denny's

"A moving book about what it really means to make a difference in another person's life . . . Tommy Spaulding might just inspire you to think more broadly and deeply about your impact."--Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and host of the TED podcast WorkLife

"Most people don't appreciate their influence. Tommy Spaulding masterfully reminds us that we impact every person we interact with every day. In this powerful book, he teaches us how to unleash our influence for good in the world."--Matthew Kelly, New York Times bestselling author of The Dream Manager

About the Author

Tommy Spaulding is the founder and president of the Tommy Spaulding Leadership Institute, a leadership-development training organization based in Denver, Colorado, and the New York Times bestselling author of It's Not Just Who You Know and The Heart-Led Leader. The former president and CEO of the global leadership organization Up with People, Spaulding consults, trains and speaks to more than one hundred businesses and organizations across the country each year.