Kurt Mortensen

Kurt W. Mortensen is an authority on persuasion, negotiation, and influence in the business and leadership development sectors. Mortensen holds a bachelor's degree in communications and advertising from Brigham Young University and an MBA in marketing and consumer behavior from the University of Pittsburgh. After entering the business world, Mortensen identified a gap between formal education and the interpersonal skills required for leadership and sales, prompting him to pursue extensive research in persuasion and social psychology.

Mortensen is the author of several works in the field, including the bestselling "Maximum Influence," which was named one of Library Journal's Best Business Books and has been translated into 28 languages, as well as "Persuasion IQ" and "The Laws of Charisma." His books integrate scientific research and case studies to provide practical tools for persuasion, motivation, and leadership. Mortensen's concept of Magnetic Persuasion emphasizes attracting others to ideas rather than applying pressure, promoting ethical influence and genuine engagement.

As founder of the Persuasion Institute, Mortensen has developed a platform for training individuals and organizations in ethical influence. He has provided training to Fortune 500 and multinational companies and has led seminars and workshops in more than 20 countries. Mortensen's experience as a university-level instructor adds academic depth to his work in influence and negotiation. He has shared the stage with business and self-development leaders including Brian Tracy, Mark Victor Hansen, Tom Hopkins, and Jim Rohn.

Mortensen's philosophy centers on the idea that professional success, personal relationships, and leadership effectiveness depend on the ability to persuade and motivate others. His presentations focus on actionable strategies for ethical influence and are designed to equip audiences with a deeper understanding of persuasion in business, sales, and leadership contexts.