// Book comparison
The Hard Thing About Hard Things vs Influence
Which should you read? A side-by-side comparison of The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz and Influence by Robert Cialdini.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things
by Ben Horowitz
★ 4.9/5
Influence
by Robert Cialdini
★ 4.9/5
At a glance
| The Hard Thing About Hard Things | Influence | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9/5 | ★ 4.9/5 |
| Pages | 304 | 320 |
| Reading time | ~7.6 h | ~8.0 h |
| Published | 2014 | 1984 |
| Author | Ben Horowitz | Robert Cialdini |
| Category | Startups & Entrepreneurship | Personal Effectiveness |
| Publisher | HarperBusiness | William Morrow |
Choose The Hard Thing About Hard Things if…
- → You're interested in startups & entrepreneurship.
- → You want the higher-rated book (4.9/5).
- → You prefer a shorter read (~7.6 hours).
- → You want the more recent perspective (2014).
Choose Influence if…
- → You're interested in personal effectiveness.
Key takeaways — The Hard Thing About Hard Things
- ✓ Understand the difference between Peacetime and Wartime Leadership, recognizing that a crisis requires a shift from collaborative consensus to directive, high-velocity decision-making.
- ✓ Manage Your Own Psychology during 'The Struggle', recognizing that the ability to stay calm and objective when the organization is at risk is a leader's most critical strategic asset.
- ✓ Prioritize The Truth in your organizational communication, ensuring that bad news travels fast and that every employee understands the reality of the firm's strategic challenges.
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 The Hard Thing About Hard Things. If you specifically need personal effectiveness, Influence is the better fit. Both summaries are free — no signup required.
❓ FAQ
Is The Hard Thing About Hard Things or Influence better? +
The Hard Thing About Hard Things has the higher reader rating (4.9/5 vs 4.9/5), but "better" depends on your goal. The Hard Thing About Hard Things focuses on startups & entrepreneurship, while Influence focuses on personal effectiveness. See the verdict below.
Which is shorter, The Hard Thing About Hard Things or Influence? +
The Hard Thing About Hard Things is shorter (304 pages, ~7.6 hours) compared to Influence (320 pages, ~8.0 hours).
Should I read The Hard Thing About Hard Things or Influence first? +
If you want the quicker, higher-rated read, start with The Hard Thing About Hard Things. Otherwise read whichever matches your current goal — both summaries are free on BookHubs.