Persuasion
Convincing Others When Facts Don’t Seem to Matter
Lee Hartley Carter
“The secrets to persuading anyone, at work and in life, from a top communication strategist. So, how do you change someone’s mind–or at least advance the conversation–when everyone is entrenched in their own points of view? Communication expert Lee Hartley Carter has spent nearly twenty years advising and helping the world’s most well-known companies do just that. Filled with deeply researched insights into how we make up–and change–our minds, as well as colorful real-world examples and actionable recommendations, Persuasion will help you hone your message and craft your narrative in order to get heard and get results.”
When I picked up Persuasion, I was expecting a guide to everyday communication, something with tips on language, conversation, and how to connect with others in all kinds of settings. What I got instead was a book much more focused on business, branding, and marketing, particularly within an American and political context.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing – it just wasn’t what I was hoping for. The author writes in a clear, conversational tone, and the book is refreshingly easy to read. Rather than feeling like a dense text, it’s filled with real-life examples, practical tools, and a workshop-like approach. Each chapter ends with reflection questions or actionable steps, and there’s a handy Appendix at the end. I could see myself returning to some of these exercises later on.
The author’s main message is that persuasion isn’t about pushing facts. It’s about understanding where people are coming from, listening first, and then telling a story that resonates. It’s a valuable reminder in a time when facts alone often don’t change minds. Emotion and empathy matter.
However it leans heavily into American themes, including political case studies (yes, there are mentions of Trump), and specific examples that didn’t always translate well or feel relevant to me. At times it feels a little like a promotion for the author’s consulting business. There’s one particular story about the author’s firm helping to figure out how to make the “average white American not be afraid of Muslims” that felt uncomfortable in tone and not especially persuasive given the book’s title and promise.
There are solid insights here, especially if you’re in a marketing or leadership role and want to refresh your approach to communication. The book’s strength lies in its simplicity and accessibility. If you already have some grounding in this space, nothing here will be groundbreaking, but it’s a good reminder of the basics.
Overall it’s practical, easy to read, sometimes insightful, but also narrow in scope and occasionally off-putting in tone. 3.5 stars.
