The Psychology of Influence — Art, Emotion and Authenticity

When I started writing The Human Demi-Gods one thing became very clear to me:
influence isn’t about manipulation. It is about emotion. It is about understanding what
moves people and how stories make them feel.

In the book I wrote, “Our brains are emotional long before they are logical. That is why
anger spreads faster than facts and why repetition can make even false ideas sound
believable.” That sentence became the foundation of what I call the Law of Emotional
Hijack and the Law of Repeated Lies. These ideas show how stories told with feeling
and repeated over time shape how people think behave and believe.

We often confuse influence with persuasion but true influence is not about convincing
someone; it is about connecting with them. As I also wrote, “Emotion drives attention
but authenticity sustains it.” You can capture an audience’s focus with emotion but you
only keep them through honesty. The trust you build is what turns a momentary reaction
into long term engagement.

Audiences today are perceptive. They can tell when content is staged or hollow. They
do not want perfection anymore; they want sincerity. They follow voices that make them
feel understood not dazzled. That explains why creators who are candid and messy
attract devotion. Their work feels human because it is human.

Think of leaders and creators you admire. They are rarely flawless. Instead they are
consistent and honest. Their material often reads like a conversation not a performance.
That conversational tone invites people in and creates belonging. It is this belonging
that converts passive viewers into active supporters and advocates.

Influence has been democratised. You do not need fame or fortune to move people.
What you need is clarity consistency and purpose. When your communication is rooted
in integrity it creates connection. When you show up regularly your credibility
compounds and your small actions become significant over time.

The most powerful influencers are not the loudest. They are the most trusted. They
prioritise empathy and truth rather than shouting over the noise. Influence is not about
control; it is about connection and responsibility. It is about using your voice to add
value rather than to score points.

So if you are finding your voice start with authenticity. Do not chase perfection. Be
honest. Be curious. Be human. That is where real influence begins not in tactics but in
presence. If you want a practical start try telling one honest story this week. Measure
how it lands. A single sincere conversation can shift perception and start the slow work
of building real influence.

Excerpt from my book, The Human Demi-Gods: The Rise of Influencers and How
to Become One
Buy it on Amazon