In a world that is often ambiguous and disingenuous, full of individuals and organizations out for themselves, it was refreshing to read an alternative perspective that focused on a more transparent and collaborative approach. Englert showcases how to communicate in high-stakes situations with people in all directions (direct reports, bosses, and clients), and gives detailed examples, conversations, and resolutions that demonstrate how this approach can be effective. I enjoyed reading how a well-run organization could look, and how a "wounded" organization could heal with time and consistency.

My overall takeaway here was not anything new or mind-blowing, but rather a simple reminder to operate from a place of genuine care with regards to the people you work with.

This was an interesting and informative read. The book is well written and researched. The topics covered are well developed and communicated in an easy to read manner. The narration quality and pacing of the text is good.

"Spheres of Influence" by Brad Englert is an invaluable guide for emerging leaders seeking to master the art of cultivating authentic and enduring business relationships. Divided into two insightful parts, the book delves into both internal and external spheres of influence, offering practical advice on nurturing connections with superiors, subordinates, customers, peers, influencers, and strategic partners. Through real-world examples spanning various industries, Englert equips readers with the essential skills to forge mutually beneficial and trust-filled relationships that stand the test of time. A must-read for anyone aspiring to thrive in leadership roles, this book is a comprehensive roadmap to building and sustaining impactful professional connections.

Everyone has two spheres of influence, an external and internal one. For internal spheres of influence, these include bosses, leadership, direct reports, coworkers, and friends. For external spheres, these are people that listeners only have an indirect influence on. Develop the leadership skill of influence, however, is a hard skill for most to learn. In the game of life, this skill can make or break key decisions. In this book, the author uses real world examples to teach listeners practical, effective strategies to build long lasting, effective, mutually beneficial relationships.

Experienced narrator, Fred Stella does a great job of bringing to life Englert’s thoughtful, helpful approach to influencing others. The tips are handy and help listeners to see influence through a unique perspective. A must-read for project managers, business people, and leaders. Recommended for most library collections.

Please Note: A copy of this audiobook was given in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are our own. No other compensation was received.

I started this book but had to stop listening because I was driving, and it was putting me to sleep. The narrator's voice is not one I can listen to. The book sounds like it has a good premise but I will not be listening to it.

"Spheres of Influence" by Brad Englert is an indispensable resource for emerging leaders seeking to elevate their careers through the mastery of authentic relationship-building. With its wealth of practical advice, relatable anecdotes, and diverse perspectives, the book provides a roadmap for professionals at all levels to navigate the intricacies of internal and external spheres of influence. Englert's book stands out for its practicality. Each chapter offers actionable advice, allowing readers to apply the insights immediately. The author's depth of experience shines through as he shares real-life stories, providing relatable examples of successful relationship-building and cautionary tales of potential pitfalls.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance audio copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn't able to finish this book. It started well but veered into a lot of "I" stories and what I felt was an unachievable perfect management style for those who want to be managers or are new managers.
The book wasn't for me, but it may be for you. My personal opinion should not sway from your own.

As a director in IT, this book was just what I needed. While the advice is straightforward and almost feels like common sense, those in the corporate world will know that these principles are not always followed, and a concise refresher is always appreciated.

There are sections covering building relationships with your leadership, direct reports, colleagues, vendors and customers. I especially liked where the author tied in other theories and books to compliment what he was offering.

While I listened to the audiobook I will be purchasing the print copy when it's released to reference and share with my direct reports as part of our leadership development book club.

Spheres of Influence focuses on building authentic and beneficial business relationships. I picked this up because I'm at a place in my career where fostering leadership connections is key to reaching my goals.

In this guide, the author gives extremely useful insights and tips for success in both internal and external business relationships. Although the content is based on navigating in formal corporate spaces, it is written in a very casual format that is easy to retain and provides thorough examples for real-world application.

I found this book to be a great resource and have already started to utilize many of these skills in the workplace. I plan to purchase a physical copy of this to have as a reference guide when it is released.

I highly recommend this book for people who are looking to thrive in their careers.

Thank you NetGalley and Greenleaf Audiobooks for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Brad Englert has worked in a variety of consulting and direct managing roles throughout his career in the information technology space. That experience has led him to understand what he calls Spheres of Influence or the different types of relationships you have in your life. From “internal spheres” like those directly above and below you in the company hierarchy to “external spheres” like those with vendors or customers, it is important to understand how to navigate these relationships to reach your goals successfully. Englert utilizes stories from his own personal experience to provide examples of how the reader can influence their connections and understand the influence these connections have on them as well.

I give Spheres of Influence 5 out of 5 stars. While Englert’s experience may be in information technology, this book is an invaluable resource for those in any field. This book felt as those I was reading the transcript of a keynote address from a management conference. The straightforward advice on how to influence connections is similar to sales training in many large organizations, but Englert applies to more than just customers. I was especially interested in the section on influencing your direct supervisor – I have recently read quite a few books on influencing those you manage, but looking upstream was a new view for me!

This is a great read for anyone at any level in an organization. I would recommend this for team “book clubs” where a manager and their direct reports read the same book for team building. I would also recommend this to anyone looking to move up and interested in additional training or resources to prepare.

I have been looking for a book club pick to read along with my team leaders in my day job, so I was excited when I saw this available on NetGalley. One of the biggest challenges we struggle with on our team is bringing everyone together to focus on one goal. I am hopeful that Spheres of Influence will help us to grow as leaders and as a team!

Enjoyed this audiobook on my commute to work.

This book is perfect for the corporate world, it has ideas involving middle management roles and how to address those relationships. I found the ideas current to modern times and the emphasis on the work life balance is rather important post pandemic.
The book is a great tool to connect individual contributors to their respective leaders.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!

I had the opportunity to listen to this audiobook provided by NetGalley. My first impression was this would be a great book to listen to on your daily commute to work. The narrator is clear and interesting. Along with the content he kept my interest in the book.

The book provides many ideas and suggestions you can incorporate in your work life. I found it mostly focused on a middle management type role where you have both a manager and direct reports. One of suggestions that resonated with me was the importance of focusing on family. Not all employers think family is important but I feel the ones that do have a much happier and productive workplace. A great resource for those managers looking to improve their team.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.