Your Worldview Shapes Your Influence

I often reflect on my worldview, and I'd like to invite you to do the same. What’s your worldview? For me, a worldview is the filter through which we interpret what we see and experience from the surrounding environment others. It's the lens that shapes our reality.

As for my worldview, it’s deeply influenced by my Christian faith, which guides me in seeing life both in the present and beyond. But another powerful lens I use every day is that of influence—understanding why people do what they do and learning how to ethically persuade them.

Why is this so dominant for me? Because like you, I want people to say "Yes." Whether it's my Jane agreeing to weekend plans, my daughter Abigail and son-in-law Tyler following advice, a prospective client bringing me on board, or even the customer service rep on the other end of the phone, we all want that positive response.

The Science Behind Influence

What I share with clients are science-based insights about influence. It's not just “mom or dad’s good advice”—although they were usually right! It's about understanding the principles of influence that have been proven by more than nine decades of social science research. These principles won’t make you a mind reader, but they can help you approach situations with greater confidence and effectiveness.

For instance, did you know that a restaurant owner reduced no-shows from 30% to 10% with just two simple words? Or that a salesperson increased sales by 610% by adding one small piece of relevant information? These examples come from studies that reveal simple but powerful ways to shift behavior.

I’m a believer because I’ve studied the science and have experienced the results firsthand. My worldview—shaped by the principles of liking, scarcity, reciprocity, social proof, authority, consistency, and scarcity—explains a lot about why people do what they do.

Seeing the World Through New Glasses

Reflecting on our worldviews reminds me of getting my first pair of glasses as a teenager. I had no idea my eyesight was so poor until I put those lenses on. Suddenly, I could see the blades of grass and leaves on the trees. It was like discovering a new world! Similarly, the lens of influence has transformed how I understand people and their actions.

I’m not a researcher, but I have an insatiable curiosity to understand these concepts and apply them in practical ways to achieve success. I've been fortunate to share my passion for influence with people around the world, thanks to platforms like YouTube and LinkedIn Learning. Seeing that reach and impact excites me every day!

Your Worldview and Influence

So, how does your worldview impact your ability to influence? It shapes everything—from how you interpret others' actions to how you communicate your own needs and ideas. If you view the world through the lens of scarcity, for instance, you might be quick to emphasize what others stand to lose. If your lens is about overcoming uncertainty using social proof, you may naturally look for common ground and shared values.

Understanding your own lens is the first step to becoming a more effective influencer. When you know what drives you, you can better connect with and persuade those around you. This is not an easy endeavor. Ben Franklin said, “Three things are extremely hard; steel, a diamond, and to know oneself.”

An Invitation to Reflect and Share

This post is less about specific persuasion tactics and more about offering a window into my mind and my worldview. I hope it inspires you to reflect on yours. How do you see the world? What lenses do you use to make sense of it? How do you believe your worldview shapes your ability to influence others? I encourage you to share your reflections in the comments because your insights might just help someone see the world—and the power of influence—in a whole new way!

Thank You!

To all of you who read, comment, and connect—I appreciate you! You make my day, and I’m grateful for this shared journey of understanding and ethical influence.

Edited with ChatGPT

Brian Ahearn

Brian Ahearn is the Chief Influence Officer at Influence PEOPLE and a faculty member at the Cialdini Institute. An author, TEDx presenter, international speaker, coach, and consultant, Brian helps clients apply influence in everyday situations to boost results.

As one of only a dozen Cialdini Method Certified Trainers in the world, Brian was personally trained and endorsed by Robert Cialdini, Ph.D., the most cited living social psychologist on the science of ethical influence.

Brian’s first book, Influence PEOPLE, was named one of the 100 Best Influence Books of All Time by Book Authority. Persuasive Selling for Relationship Driven Insurance Agents was an Amazon new release bestseller. The Influencer, is a business parable designed to teach you how to use influence in everyday situations.

Brian’s LinkedIn courses on persuasive selling and coaching have been viewed by over 725,000 people around the world and his TEDx Talk on pre-suasion has more than a million views!