The Ultimate Guide to Power and Influence: Everything You Need to Know
Robert L. Dilenschneider
Matt Holt Books/An Imprint of Ben Bella Books (July 2023)

How to define, realize, and gradually strengthen your personal agenda

There is much confusion and at least some controversy about the term “self-help” insofar as books are concerned. With all due respect to bestselling authors such as Dale Carnegie, Benjamin Franklin, Napoleon Hill, Norman Vincent Peale, and Eckhart Tolle,  the fact remains that those who read their books are ultimately responsible for absorbing and digesting the material provided, then applying it (perhaps with some modification) in their own lives. The same is true of the role models that Robert Dilenschneider cites in this book.

Most people know WHAT power and influence are and WHY they can be beneficial. Dilenschneider wrote this book in order to help his readers understand HOW  they can “define, realize, and gradually strengthen your personal agenda.” He fully understands that what power and influence mean to a clergyman and to a hedge fund manager are probably quite different. Hence the importance of answering questions such as “Who am I?” as well as “What do I value most?” and “How do I measure personal growth and professional (or career) development?”

One of the great values of this book is that Dilenschneider’s skillful use of direct address almost immediately establishes rapport with his reader. I felt as if he had written this book specifically for me. He seems to be saying, “Here’s what I’ve learned from others. as well as from my own experiences It may be of some value to you. Worth thinking about.” Dilenschneider correctly stresses the importance of developing specific skills as well as a positive attitude. For example, he suggests several dos and a few don’ts when

o Networking
o Making personal as well as professional connections
o Helping others
o Using social media
o Making mistakes the right way
o Thinking about/making a career pivot
o Protecting yourself and your reputation
o Becoming a “memorable” manager (for the better)
o Coping with a crisis
o Spotting significant/relevant trends and tendencies
o Leading and supporting desirable change in the workplace culture
o Sharing power and influence

What I found fascinating is that while sharing Robert Dilenschneider’s thoughts about each of these, I instinctively generated a few of my own thoughts and feelings about the given subject. Also, I reflected on my own experiences with several of them. Self-help books worthy of that designation can be windows as well as mirrors, an anchor as well as a sail. That is certainly true of this one.

Contrary to what its subtitle promises, this book does NOT tell you “everything thing you need to know.” No book can, But it does provide a wealth of valuable information, insights, and counsel. For many people, I think this can be one of the most valuable books they have ever read.

Here are two concluding suggestions: Highlight key passages, and, keep a lined notebook near at hand while reading The Ultimate Guide to Power in which you record your comments, questions, action steps (preferably with deadlines), page references as well as your responses to the questions posed and to lessons you have learned. I strongly recommend that you document efforts to apply any of Dilenschneider’s suggestions as well as ideas that occur to you.  These two simple tactics — highlighting and documenting — will facilitate, indeed expedite frequent reviews of key material later.