Master the Art of Persuasion with Instant Influence
Would the ability to influence your customers, your team, or even those closest to you be valuable? If you want to master the art of influence and get people to take action because they genuinely want to, then Michael Pantalon’s Instant Influence is the book you need to dive into.
In this book, Pantalon offers a scientifically-backed method that empowers you to influence others—and even yourself—through a process that uncovers their true reasons for taking action. It’s all about helping others discover their own motivation, leading them to make decisions that resonate deeply with them. Ready to learn the secret sauce? Let’s break it down.
Can You Motivate Anyone in 7 Minutes?
Ever wondered why people around you seem resistant to change, despite all the logical reasons you present? Pantalon reveals a powerful truth: people don’t change because of logic. They change because they find their own reasons for doing so. This insight is at the core of Quiet Influence—it’s about helping others discover their own motivation.
You can’t force change on someone. But, even the most reluctant person has a tiny spark of desire to change. The trick is to help them uncover that spark. Once they hear themselves articulate why they want to change, action is almost guaranteed.
The Freedom to Choose
Pantalon’s methodology is rooted in a few core assumptions:
We are free to choose how we behave.
Other people can threaten our freedom by attempting to impose control.
We tend to react negatively when our freedom is threatened.
Our freedom is restored when we assert self-determination.
The key here is how we frame our attempts to influence. Instead of taking control, we frame our message in a way that makes the other person feel empowered. This approach works because it places the power of choice in the hands of the person we’re trying to influence. Phrases like:
"This is your choice, not mine."
"You’re free to do whatever you want."
"I can’t make this choice for you—it’s up to you."
These kinds of statements give power back to the influence and help spark change.
Step-by-Step Influence
Pantalon’s art of influence method consists of six steps. Let’s break them down:
Step 1: Why Might You Change?
The first step is to get the person to visualize themselves in the desired situation. Instead of focusing on the problem, focus on the positive behaviors close to the goal. For example, if someone wants to lose weight, ask: "Why did you choose the salad today?" Follow that up with, "Why would you do more of that?"
Step 2: How Ready Are You to Change?
Ask them to rate their readiness on a scale of 1 to 10. It’s not about the number; it’s about getting them to think about why they chose that number. This helps uncover the real reasons they’re ready for change, which, again, must come from their own mouth.
Step 3: Why Didn’t You Pick a Lower Number?
This step flips the script. If someone rates their readiness low, ask them why they didn’t choose a "1" instead. This forces them to think about what’s motivating them to take action, rather than just dismissing the idea of change.
Step 4: Imagine You’ve Changed. What Would the Positive Outcomes Be?
Get them to visualize the benefits of change. This helps solidify their belief in the positive impact of the change, making the process feel more real and achievable.
Step 5: Why Are Those Outcomes Important to You?
This is where things get deeper. Ask them to dig into why these positive outcomes matter. By asking "why" multiple times, you get to the heart of their personal motivation, which often goes beyond logical reasoning and taps into their emotional drive.
Step 6: What’s the Next Step, If Any?
This step is all about taking action. Ask them what the next step is, and if they’re ready to take it. Giving them control over this step reinforces their sense of autonomy and empowers them to move forward.
Influencing Yourself
What’s great about the Instant Influence method is that you can apply it to yourself. Whether it’s making a lifestyle change, hitting a work target, or overcoming a personal hurdle, this method works for self-influence too. Here’s how:
Identify the change you want to make and formulate it in terms of behavior.
Ask the same questions you would ask someone else to uncover your own reasons for change.
Dig deep with the "five whys" technique to get to the core motivation.
Choose a small, manageable next step and set a time to review your progress.
By using the Instant Influence process on yourself, you can overcome procrastination and find the drive to take action when you need it most.
Advice for Applying the Method
Start small: Break down big changes into manageable steps.
Focus on action, not decisions: Don’t get bogged down in the how—just take the first step.
Be open to the process: Don’t judge yourself or censor your thoughts—just go with it and see where it leads.
Trust the process: Don’t force yourself; let the motivation grow naturally.
Join The Swarm with Hive
If you’re ready to step up your influence game and apply these strategies in business and life, it’s time to take action. At HivePowered.Ai, we help leaders like you level up their influence and build stronger relationships with clients, teams, and stakeholders.
Join the Limitless Leaders Club to connect with other forward-thinking individuals, or hire a Sales team of experts to help you implement strategies that amplify your influence and drive results. As effective influencers, we empower businesses to create a lasting impression and increase Customer Success through the power of influencer marketing.
Become the master of influence in your business and personal life today!
