// Book comparison
Dare to Lead vs Influence
Which should you read? A side-by-side comparison of Dare to Lead by Brené Brown and Influence by Robert Cialdini.
Dare to Lead
by Brené Brown
★ 4.9/5
Influence
by Robert Cialdini
★ 4.9/5
At a glance
| Dare to Lead | Influence | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9/5 | ★ 4.9/5 |
| Pages | 320 | 320 |
| Reading time | ~8.0 h | ~8.0 h |
| Published | 2018 | 1984 |
| Author | Brené Brown | Robert Cialdini |
| Category | Leadership | Personal Effectiveness |
| Publisher | Random House | William Morrow |
Choose Dare to Lead if…
- → You're interested in leadership.
- → You want the higher-rated book (4.9/5).
- → You prefer a shorter read (~8.0 hours).
- → You want the more recent perspective (2018).
Choose Influence if…
- → You're interested in personal effectiveness.
Key takeaways — Dare to Lead
- ✓ Practice Rumbling with Vulnerability by leaning into difficult strategic conversations and productive conflict, which is the primary driver of high-performance team innovation.
- ✓ Utilize the BRAVING Inventory to objectively build and measure trust within your leadership team, ensuring that your organization is grounded in a foundation of mutual accountability.
- ✓ Foster a Daring Culture by adopting the 'Clear is Kind' philosophy, providing honest and specific feedback that supports employee growth and organizational excellence.
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, shorter read, start with Dare to Lead. If you specifically need personal effectiveness, Influence is the better fit. Both summaries are free — no signup required.
❓ FAQ
Is Dare to Lead or Influence better? +
Dare to Lead has the higher reader rating (4.9/5 vs 4.9/5), but "better" depends on your goal. Dare to Lead focuses on leadership, while Influence focuses on personal effectiveness. See the verdict below.
Which is shorter, Dare to Lead or Influence? +
Dare to Lead is shorter (320 pages, ~8.0 hours) compared to Influence (320 pages, ~8.0 hours).
Should I read Dare to Lead or Influence first? +
If you want the quicker, higher-rated read, start with Dare to Lead. Otherwise read whichever matches your current goal — both summaries are free on BookHubs.