How Do You Become Influential? Jon Levy Reveals His Surprising Secrets

Our guest, Jon Levy, is arguably one of the most influential behavioral scientists in the world. Over 10 years ago, Jon founded The Influencers Dinner, a secret dining experience for industry leaders ranging from Olympians, Nobel laureates, executives, to musicians. Over the course of the last decade, these dinners have developed into a wide community of influential people. 

Our opening speed round with Jon did not disappoint. We learn his unique perspective on which Star Trek Captains was the best, and the surprising answer to who his dream guest was at one of his dinners. 

In our discussion with Jon, he shares the secrets behind his influential approach: what motivated him to start this novel idea, how he developed it and the key steps behind the ongoing success of the community that he has curated. 

Jon’s second book, “You’re Invited: The Art and Science of Cultivating Influence” https://amzn.to/2RmlUlA is released on May 11, 2021. Which follows his hugely successful first book: “The 2 AM Principle: Discover the Science of Adventure” https://amzn.to/3eS3p0m. We had the privilege of previewing his latest book for this interview and we were blown away by Jon’s unique approach to cultivating human connections through trust and community. 

Of course, we discuss what music Jon has been listening to at home and we are surprised to learn what has recently sparked his musical interest. Jon has found that through his Influence Dinners, he has hosted a lot of his childhood pop idols, which he still enjoys listening to.

Thanks for listening and thank you for taking a minute to join the others who have already left us a review. 

© 2021 Behavioral Grooves

Jon Levy's Books

You're Invited: The Art and Science of Cultivating Influence https://amzn.to/2RmlUlA

The 2 AM Principle: Discover the Science of Adventure https://amzn.to/3eS3p0m  

Links

Jon Levy https://www.jonlevytlb.com/ 

Peter Cullen (voice of Optimus Prime) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Cullen 

James T. Kirk https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_T._Kirk 

Jean-Luc Picard https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Luc_Picard 

Neil deGrasse Tyson https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_deGrasse_Tyson 

Oprah https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oprah_Winfrey 

Beyonce https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beyonc%C3%A9 

Sir Richard Branson https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Branson 

Stephen Hawking https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking 

Disney https://www.disney.com/ 

Mark Zuckerberg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Zuckerberg 

Nicholas Christakis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Christakis 

James H. Fowler https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_H._Fowler 

The Spread of Obesity in a Large Social Network over 32 Years 

Christakis and Fowler (2007) https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmsa066082 

Nike Run Club https://www.nike.com/gb/nrc-app 

Bill Nye the Science Guy https://billnye.com/ 

Parkour https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkour 

The Daily Show https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Daily_Show 

The New York Times: Want to Meet Influential New Yorkers? Invite Them to Dinner

https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/10/fashion/want-to-meet-influential-new-yorkers-invite-them-to-dinner.html 

SNVTA - Ventral tegmental area of the brain https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventral_tegmental_area 

Davos https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davos 

Bill Gates https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates 

Angela Merkel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Merkel 

TED https://www.ted.com/ 

My Octopus Teacher https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Octopus_Teacher 

United States Navy SEAL selection and training https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Navy_SEAL_selection_and_training 

The IKEA Effect https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IKEA_effect#:~:text=The%20IKEA%20effect%20is%20a,of%20furniture%20that%20require%20assembly

Common Biases & Heuristics https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XHpBr0VFcaT8wIUpr-9zMIb79dFMgOVFRxIZRybiftI/edit?usp=sharing 

Brené Brown https://brenebrown.com/about/ 

 Adam Grant https://www.adamgrant.net/ 

Behavioral Grooves Patreon https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves

Musical Links 

Bridgerton Soundtrack https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rowHZd7-F1U&ab_channel=LoopedSongs 

Vitamin String Quartet “Thank u, next” (Ariana Grande) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmljfYBkGVg 

John Williams “The Imperial March from The Empire Strikes Back” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7HF4JG1pOg&list=PL2yW2adfehiV0-wSa784KIT1ZJ5_YEVjd&index=2&ab_channel=JohnWilliamsVEVO 

Tribe Called Quest “Electric Relaxation“ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHRnvjCkTsw&ab_channel=TribeCalledQuestVEVO 

Biggie Smalls (The Notorious B.I.G.) “Big Poppa” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phaJXp_zMYM 

Maroon Five “Sugar” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09R8_2nJtjg&ab_channel=Maroon5VEVO 

98 Degrees “I Do (Cherish You)” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09R8_2nJtjg&ab_channel=Maroon5VEVO 

Cowboy Junkies “Sweet Jane” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa9nN3G2CSg&t=173s 

The Tragically Hip “Ahead by a Century” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE2joQsWXJg 

Topics

(4:46) Speed Round Questions

(9:03) Power vs Influence

(13:00) Why do we want influence?

(20:21) Jon discusses his new book

(25:41) Jon became influential

(32:11) How to create a community

(37:03) How trust is made and how to trigger it

(41:00) Music

(1:13:11) Bonus Track and Groove Idea

Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy

Dessa: The Attention Shepherd On The Curious Act Of Being Deeply Human (Episode 208) https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/dessa-being-deeply-human/ 

Mapping the Influence of Corporate Cultures – Silke Brittain (Episode 12) https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/mapping-the-influence-of-corporate-cultures-silke-brittain/

Robert Cialdini, PhD: Littering, Egoism and Aretha Franklin (Episode 50) https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/robert-cialdini-phd-littering-egoism-and-aretha-franklin/