Dahle Communication

Book Review: Everyone Communicates - Few Connect by John C. Maxwell

Throughout this book, the focus is on connecting with others at three different levels: one-on-one, in a group, and with an audience.

John C. Maxwell stays true to this statements in his new book "Everyone Communicates, Few Connect" that I have had the privilege to read over the past couple of weeks. Sadly, I wanted to write about this a few weeks ago when I first got a copy, but I tend to read books a little too thoroughly. I highlight parts, make notations on the sides, and use tabs to mark key spots - and I tend to read about 6 books at a time - which is basically the excuse I'm using for taking so long.

Anyway, back to the book. I enjoyed Maxwell's book quite a bit. When I look at books I look for several things. First, there is a clear focus to his book - improving how you connect with people on three levels: one-on-one, in a group and with an audience. What I liked a lot about the book is that at the end of each chapter he re focused his topic back on those three areas. He basically reviews the previous chapter and how to relate that to connecting with people.

Connecting is never about me. It's about the person with whom I'm communicating.

The second aspect of his book that I like is the fact that it re-enforces a lot of what I have written about or talked about over the past few years. While I like to think that I know what I'm talking about, it is nice to have someone with Maxwell's background confirming those ideas. Especially his description of what he had gotten out of his speech class - basically not much. I've tried to explain that to people - students are coming out of high school and college ill-equipped for giving speeches and communicating with people. While this book isn't the entire answer, it can definitely help you become a better communicator.

The best advice I can give is for you to learn how to be yourself. The best professional speakers know themselves and their strengths - often learned through trial and error - and they use them to their greatest advantage.

That is what I appreciate the most about his book - it isn't a guide on what to do and how to do it. It's a suggestion box of ideas and strategies that you can use to be a better communicator. That is mostly what I love about this book. If you want to become a better communicator get this book. It isn't the final answer on communicating - but it is a great start. I am definitely going to use some of the tips that I learned in this book.

Pick up "How to Win a Pitch" if you want to succeed

One of the great things that has happened to me over the past year has been getting to know all of the immensely talented individuals in the communication world. People like Brent Duncan with Marketing in Progress, Jan Schultink at Slides That Stick and Jon Thomas at Presentation Advisors to name just a few.

Several months ago, Joey Asher asked me if I would be interested in looking over his book 'How to Win a Pitch' and talk about it on my blog. I was flattered that he had thought of me and was more than happy to do it. Unfortunately I got caught up in too much stuff for a while and had to put the book on the back-burner for a while. Of course when I did this, it fell off my radar for a while and I never got back to his wonderful book - until now.

Even though the book has been out for some time now, I decided to write about it for a couple of reasons. First off, it is a wonderful book that needs to be promoted by anyone dealing with communication. I am always looking for great books that can inspire me to become a better communicator and that is exactly what Joey Asher's book did. One of the biggest things I liked about was the structure and simplicity of it. The book is not overly wordy and it breaks things down to the key ideas you need to incorporate to be successful.

Secondly, his book in now available in audio form for those who would rather listen to the book rather than read it. So, if you are too busy to read or you do a lot of driving or if you just like listening to audio books - pick up Joey Asher's 'How to Win a Pitch'. Hopefully, it won't take you as long to read it (or listen to it) as I did - because you'll just lose clients by not reading it!