We all want to be able to influence others, to have our voices counted in decisionmaking, and to make a contribution to our organization or community. Most books on this subject focus on personal power for personal ends— self-help approaches that show readers how to get what they want for themselves. But influence can be much more— a live force that is vital to the positive and productive functioning of organizations, communities, and relationships.
In Clout Stephen R. Graves and Thomas G. Addington take an entirely new and fresh approach to the subject of influence, incorporating biblical wisdom and stories of exemplary people who have wielded influence with integrity and authenticity. Using classical analytical tools to examine the components of influence, the authors look at an array of historical and biblical models of both positive and negative influence, including Mother Teresa, Adam Smith, Jesus, St. Patrick, Malcolm Muggeridge, and even Rasputin. They analyze what drives this force in our personal and business lives and relationships and show readers how they too can become people of great influence and thereby have a message that is meaningful, an audience that is receptive, and a life that is believable.