Influence

Name: Influence
Author: Robert B. Cialdini

Robert B. Cialdini

The foundational and wildly popular go-to resource for influence and persuasion-a renowned international bestseller, with over 5 million copies sold-now revised adding: new research, new insights, new examples, and online applications.

20.8 score

#88 overall

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Score based on developer article recommendations — not sales data or reviews.

Career & Growth Backendcommunicationsoft-skillspsychology

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🟢 Developer Verdict

Explores the core psychological principles of persuasion and influence, providing practical insights into human decision-making and their application.

Read this if

✓ You want to grasp the psychological underpinnings of influence.
✓ You seek practical, ethical strategies for effective persuasion.
✓ You are exploring how persuasion principles might apply to AI interactions.

Skip this for now if

✗ You are looking for specific software engineering technical skills.
✗ You prefer a book focused on coding or system design patterns.
✗ You expect content solely on team management or leadership frameworks.

Developer signal: Overwhelming Consensus · 100% 5 analyzed mentions PracticalCareer ChangingClassic

🔄 Compare & Reading Path

Alternatives

How to Win Friends and Influence People Choose this for a more hands-on, practical approach Beginner Start with Why Choose this for a more hands-on, practical approach Beginner Good to Great An alternative perspective on Career-and-growth Beginner

Read After

Rich Dad Poor Dad Go deeper into Liberal-arts after this Beginner Emotional Intelligence Go deeper into Career-and-growth after this Intermediate

📊 Why Developers Recommend

It helps developers think more intentionally about professional growth.

Cited by 8 different developers, each bringing their own experience and perspective.

Valued for its practical approach — concepts connect directly to real-world engineering decisions and daily work.

Top signals: PracticalCareer ChangingClassic

💬 What Developers Say

"Influence, the classic book on persuasion, explains the psychology of why people say “yes”—and how to apply these understandings."
— apium_hub · Tech Leadership books · Jun 17, 2021