Dr. Vanessa Bohns is a social psychologist, author, and professor of organizational behavior at Cornell University. Her research explores how we perceive our influence — and how often we get it wrong. 

In this episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Vanessa and Crisp Founder & CEO Michael Mogill explore the place of influence in leadership through: 

The implications of underestimating (or overestimating) our own influence 

How facts are often less effective at changing behavior than social norms 

Why effective leaders see influence as a responsibility 


Links & Resources

Episode Show Notes


You Have More Influence Than You Think: How We Underestimate Our Power of Persuasion, and Why It Matters by Dr. Vanessa Bohns

Behavioral Contagion 


Invisibility Cloak Illusion 

Spotlight Effect 

Diffusion of Responsibility

Bystander Effect 

The Liking Gap 


Dr. Bohn’s 3 Steps to Understanding Influence:

Visualize your influence from a third-party perspective. (Suggestion: what if you were reviewing a tape of your performance as a leader?) 

Gather true perspectives. 

Experience your influence. (Suggestion: write a letter of gratitude to someone who helped you on your path.)