Everybody Communicates, Few Connect By John Maxwell | Book Review
I love to read quality books. So recently, I signed up for Booksneeze, a site that sends you books for free! Well. . . not completely free. For the company to benefit, I must provide an honest review of the book I receive.
So I chose this particular book because the author, John Maxwell, is known as the leadership guru. As such, I’m interested to hear what he has to say about connecting with others. Here’s what I’ve learned.
Why Should We Connect?
Simply put, people can’t succeed in life without communicating effectively. And good communication is all about connecting. To connect, we must identify and relate to people in a way that increases our influence with them.
How Do We Connect Better?
Here are five actions we can take.
Find Common Ground
All great relationships are built on common values. This common ground must be discovered, and that takes time. So be available to others. Move into their world and search for something in their background that relates to yours.
Keep It Simple
I used to think that using big words would make me sound smarter and more sophisticated. But if people need a dictionary to understand you, then you’re not connecting!
Educators take the simple and make it complicated, while communicators take the complicated and make it simple.
Create An Enjoyable Experience For Everyone
To hold people’s interest, you should seek to be the kind of communicator you would like to hear. Some of the qualities found in good communicators are warmness, honesty, creativity, and a sense of humor.
Inspire People
Believe the best about people. People usually respond to the expectations set by others.
But don’t just help them feel good. Understanding will change your mind. Action will change your life. Call people to action and give them a game plan.
Live What You Communicate
Over time, the way you live outweighs the words you use. Know who you are, and who you’re not. We all have strengths and weaknesses. Perfection is a mask.
And deliver on your promises. Making commitments creates hope. Keeping commitments creates trust.
How Can You Tell When You’ve Connected With Others?
Here are some signs:
- People give extra effort,
- People express unsolicited appreciation,
- People demonstrate unguarded openness, and
- Positive energy is created when they’re together.
My Thoughts
Reading this, I realize that it’s my responsibility to make sure I’m connecting with others. I’m far from an expert, so I need to be the kind of person others would like to spend time with.
The good thing about Everybody Communicates, Few Connect is that there are questions at the end of each chapter to help you reflect on your current ability to connect. And of course, there are also tips to help you get better at it.
Have you read this book? How would you describe your ability to connect?
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Filed under Books, Career, Life by on Jul 22nd, 2010. Comment. 
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Comments on Everybody Communicates, Few Connect By John Maxwell | Book Review
FinEngr @ 3:14 am
Whoa, it’s your responsibility? That’s a big undertaking
Great review and thanks for the BookSneeze link – definitely will be checking it out!
Darren @ 4:25 am
Yeah, it can definitely feel like a lot of pressure. But the good thing is that there are tips throughout the book.
As far as the link goes, you’re welcome! I see that you read quite a bit too. Hope you like it!
Monterey Marketing Lab (Neal) @ 8:27 pm
Hey Darren,
Cool, thanks for letting us know about the service too, maybe I’ll check it out too. Have you read other books on communication? And how does this one compare?
Thanks
-Neal
Darren @ 4:33 am
Hey Neal, I did find another interesting book on communication, though it wasn’t from Booksneeze. It’s called Charisma, and it’s written by a guy named Tony Alessandra. It talks a lot about how nonverbal aspects such as eye contact, listening, space, and time affect communication just as much as actual words do. Pretty good read as well.
And there’s always the classic How To Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Hope this helps!