Influenced from Above: The Intersection of Faith and Influence

Lately, you might have noticed a pause in my weekly posts. Between a Florida vacation and business travel, my focus shifted to a passion project—my next book, Influenced from Above: The Intersection of Faith and Influence. I’m excited to share that I’ve made some serious headway!

This new book dives into something you may not have considered before; the intersection  between Robert Cialdini’s principles of influence and spiritual wisdom. For years, I’ve explored how ethical influence can help people professionally and personally. But here’s the twist: what if the same principles that drive successful persuasion also tie into timeless spiritual truths?

The idea for Influenced from Above came about after presentation I gave in town many years ago—a presentation my daughter Abigail attended. Although she’d seen me in action before, it had been quite a while. Over lunch the next day, as we chatted about the talk, she asked a question that stuck with me: “Where is God in all of this?” That simple question led to an engaging conversation about the links between influence and faith, and it’s been on my mind ever since.

Her question made me rethink how I view influence. I began to see that ethical persuasion isn’t just about business success or personal gain—it’s also about purpose and meaning. Over the years, as I’ve studied the art and science of influence, I’ve realized that many believe faith and psychology are at odds. I don’t agree. In fact, there’s a synergy when we consider how timeless spiritual principles can guide us by wielding influence responsibly.

Influenced from Above will serve as a follow-up to my previous book, The Influencer: Secrets to Success and Happiness. That book introduced readers to the core principles of influence through the fictional journey of John Andrews. My new book picks up where that story left off. In this next chapter, John embarks on a new phase of his life after his career. He’s on a quest for purpose, exploring how the principles of influence can be integrated with and supported by his faith.

What makes this project so exciting is the idea that ethical influence isn’t merely about tactics and techniques—it’s about being guided by something greater. It’s about the belief that science, psychology, and faith aren’t adversaries, but allies. They each offer a unique perspective on how we can lead, inspire, and create meaningful change.

I’m inviting you to join me on this journey. Whether you’re a business leader, a curious thinker, or someone who believes in the power of blending personal values with professional success, I’d love to hear your thoughts about this project I’ve embarked on. How do you see the relationship between influence and faith? Have you experienced a moment where your personal beliefs transformed your approach to sales, coaching, or leadership?

As I continue to write Influenced from Above, I’ll keep you posted on my progress. In the meantime, your insights, questions, and experiences would be much appreciated.

Edited by ChatGPT

Brian Ahearn

Brian Ahearn is the Chief Influence Officer at Influence PEOPLE and a faculty member at the Cialdini Institute.

An author, TEDx speaker, international trainer, 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. His follow-up, Persuasive Selling for Relationship Driven Insurance Agents, was an Amazon new release bestseller. His latest book, The Influencer: Secrets to Success and Happiness, is a business parable designed to teach you how to use influence at home and the office.

Brian’s LinkedIn courses on persuasive selling and coaching have been viewed by more than 750,000 people around the world. His TEDx Talk on pre-suasion has more than a million views!