Get Your Tickets: https://influencers2026.com.au Discover more about Anthony Perl AND Podcasts Done For You https://podcastsdoneforyou.com.au/ Influence can win clients, open doors and create opportunities. But where does influence end and manipulation begin? In this episode, Russell Pearson and I get into the darker side of influence: how persuasion works, how other people and systems are influencing you, and how to become more influential without crossing the line into manipulation. Russell's argument is that real influence isn't about follower counts or becoming some kind of social-media "influencer". It's about being trusted, being invited into the right rooms, being considered when you're not there, and being able to help people move toward better outcomes. We get into: How influence differs from manipulation Why intention matters when you're persuading someone How advertising, social media, algorithms and AI influence your thinking Why conviction and communication matter more than tricks How influence creates access to clients, opportunities and stronger networks Why consultants shouldn't simply "do the work" for clients How to help clients build confidence and capability instead Why real influence has very little to do with audience size For consultants, advisors, founders and leaders, this is really a conversation about how you move people without becoming manipulative — and how you protect yourself from the influence being directed at you. Russell also shares the thinking behind the upcoming Influences event in Sydney and why he and Kirryn Zerna have become slightly obsessed with pulling apart communication, persuasion and influence. 00:00 — How context changes the way you position yourself 03:05 — What do you actually want influence to achieve? 04:56 — Real influence has nothing to do with TikTok followers 07:51 — How influence creates clients, opportunities and access 09:52 — Influence vs leadership 12:01 — Competition, strategy and the levers of influence 16:26 — The dark side: influence vs manipulation 20:17 — Persuasion, reciprocity and ethical influence 23:14 — Using influence with consulting clients 27:44 — Why Russell and Kieran created Influences 29:52 — How to apply influence to a specific busines More about Russell, Visit: https://russellpearson.com SUBSCRIBE for more videos like this one. ▶️ Secret Workshop: For those ready for the next step, this is the fastest way, I know, to build a highly profitable consulting business in just 4 days a week. https://youtu.be/4dUzyjkMgrw

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