// Book comparison
Can't Hurt Me vs Influence
Which should you read? A side-by-side comparison of Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins and Influence by Robert Cialdini.
Can't Hurt Me
by David Goggins
★ 4.9/5
Influence
by Robert Cialdini
★ 4.9/5
At a glance
| Can't Hurt Me | Influence | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9/5 | ★ 4.9/5 |
| Pages | 364 | 320 |
| Reading time | ~9.1 h | ~8.0 h |
| Published | 2018 | 1984 |
| Author | David Goggins | Robert Cialdini |
| Category | Personal Effectiveness | Personal Effectiveness |
| Publisher | Lioncrest Publishing | William Morrow |
Choose Can't Hurt Me if…
- → You're interested in personal effectiveness.
- → You want the higher-rated book (4.9/5).
- → You want the more recent perspective (2018).
Choose Influence if…
- → You're interested in personal effectiveness.
- → You prefer a shorter read (~8.0 hours).
Key takeaways — Can't Hurt Me
- ✓ Apply the 40% Rule to your strategic projects, recognizing that your organization has vast untapped reserves of potential that can be accessed through disciplined mental focus.
- ✓ Utilize the Accountability Mirror to conduct honest assessments of your leadership failures and skill gaps, ensuring that your professional growth is grounded in radical truth.
- ✓ Build a Calloused Mind by intentionally taking the 'hard path' in your daily decisions, creating the psychological resilience needed to lead effectively during extreme organizational crises.
Key takeaways — Influence
- ✓ Apply the Reciprocity Principle by providing value to your stakeholders first, creating a psychological obligation that significantly increases your future persuasive power.
- ✓ Leverage Social Proof by highlighting the endorsements of your existing customers and industry leaders to reduce perceived risk for new strategic partners.
- ✓ Utilize Commitment and Consistency by asking for small, initial agreements that lead your stakeholders to stay aligned with your larger organizational goals over time.
The verdict
If you want the higher-rated, more acclaimed read, start with Can't Hurt Me. If you want a different angle on the same topic, Influence is the better fit. Both summaries are free — no signup required.
❓ FAQ
Is Can't Hurt Me or Influence better? +
Can't Hurt Me has the higher reader rating (4.9/5 vs 4.9/5), but "better" depends on your goal. Can't Hurt Me focuses on personal effectiveness, while Influence focuses on personal effectiveness. See the verdict below.
Which is shorter, Can't Hurt Me or Influence? +
Influence is shorter (320 pages, ~8.0 hours) compared to Can't Hurt Me (364 pages, ~9.1 hours).
Should I read Can't Hurt Me or Influence first? +
If you want the quicker, higher-rated read, start with Can't Hurt Me. Otherwise read whichever matches your current goal — both summaries are free on BookHubs.