Book Review: Everyone Communicates, Few Connect: What the Most Effective People Do Differently by Dr. John C. Maxwell

For weeks I have been waiting for this book, not just because one of my comments in John's blog is featured in the book (page 35, Chapter 2), but because this book is loaded with so much wisdom, practical tips, quotes, etc that have to do with more than just the topic of connecting with others. I would say, this book is another indispensable book from John. Typical of John's style, he has packed in so much goodies in it that one can go back to the book, re-read it again and again, and yet there are still things one can learn from it.

As an outline, this book is divided into 2 parts. In Part 1, John shared FIVE essential principles of connecting:
1. Connecting Increases Your Influence in Every Situation
2. Connecting Is All About Others
3. Connecting Goes Beyond Words
4. Connecting Always Require Energy
5. Connecting Is More Skill Than Natural Talent

In Part 2, John shared FIVE connecting practices that one should cultivate:
6. Connectors Connect on Common Ground
7. Connectors Do the Difficult Work of Keeping It Simple
8. Connectors Create an Experience Everyone Enjoys
9. Connectors Inspire People
10. Connectors Live What They Communicate

Some highlights in this book which have particularly inspired me (especially in my role as a lecturer) and these include:

• The seven-second rule by Roger Ailes who said, "You have just 7 seconds to make a good first impression."
• People will not always remember what you said, or what you did, but they will always remember how you made them feel
• The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The great teacher demonstrates.
• The measure of a great teacher isn't what he or she knows, it's what the students know.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Six lessons I learned today from the life of John Maxwell

While reviewing Chapter 5 of John C. Maxwell's 2010 book (available for reading online currently), I learned great truths from a rare life story of John as told by Charlie Wetzel [someone who has worked personally with John for quite a long time].

From that piece, I learned six lessons.

Six lessons I learned today from the life of John Maxwell:

1. Be generous with your praise to others where praise is due

2. No matter how bad someone has performed, there is always something positive you can affirm him for. Be on the lookout for his strength.

3. Be real and authentic - let others know that you are aware of your weaknesses and you are just as human as they are

4. Be humble - there is always lessons you can learn from others no matter who they are

5. Empower others. I do not need to micro-manage. Give others the space for them to develop the potential that they have inside them.

6. Treat each speaking engagement, or for that matter, any job assignment, seriously and with respect. Do your homework.