Everyone Communicates Few Connect Book Review Free Essay Example

This book is broken down in two parts and a conclusion with five chapters in each part. Maxwell speaks on the ability to identify with people and going farther and actually relating with them so that one can have an influential impact with the person communicating with. Maxwell is emphasizing the importance of communication with a purpose. That is its not just hearing what is said but listening with intent in a way that there is genuine connection not just words.

Get your paper done on time by an expert in your field.

Order Now

This book does a great job at giving principles and ways to allow anyone to communicate on a deeper level rather than empty communication.

Maxwell’s book begins with the topic being better with your influence in all situations. He talks about connecting with others connecting with others in one on one situations, groups, and speaking with an audience. If one can connect many things will improve sense of community, creating teamwork, and this will lead to ones influence growing exponentially.

This will have both personal and professional results including better relationships, less conflict, this will lead to getting more things done. This would allow for attracting a following so to speak. Being able to communicate effectively this will aloe one to reach a potential far beyond what they expected. On the flip side you are leaving resources out there that you will never be able to use.

The next few chapters in part one all speak in a common theme what it is going to take more on the physical sense so to speak, or even on a mental aspect.

One must realize that communication is all about others and where they are. We must understand that not everyone is an expert on everything and must be able to speak to them on those terms.

This leads to a good point also and not showing off just because you may know something others don’t. Connection must be authentic this is the only way to gain the opportunity to influence them. This is important, as it is knowing the audience in all aspects. You must learn them before you can add value to their lives. Gaining this knowledge will allow you to connect emotionally. This goes to the next point Maxwell makes connecting Goes Beyond Words. People respond to the communicator one way the other. Actions, tones and the style of communication goes father than words. Maxwell tells us “Experts estimate that 90% of the impression we convey has nothing to do with what we actually say”. This would indicate that what we are saying must be apart of us the message must model what we want to deliver.

To connect you must put energy in it “Connecting with others only happens intentionally”. The response given will only be received as well as the time put into it. One must come to the audience relationally and emotionally by personalizing the message to suit their context. Maxwell tells us that the energy put into communication must be done proactively. The leaders wanting to communicate must be the ones to initiate the communication especially when the opportunity arises.

This would include a servants type of mind, Maxwell will make the comment though that selflessness energizes you by providing your life with significance so it can be seen as a trade off. In the last chapter of part two Maxwell says connecting is more skill than natural talent. This is simply the notion that it is not hereditary, nor is developed by accident. This is a skill’s that take practice and honing through skills and are mining their experiences. The better communicators are taking their background, personality, natural abilities, and knowledge, and using it to engage the people they wish to communicate with.

Part two talks more about the practices of connecting instead of the principles. Maxwell begins with connecting on common ground. He says that relationships that are positive are being built on common interests and values. As communicators we should be investing time into searching on the common ground instead of neglecting them as many leaders might. This requires a sense of teamwork rather than controlling the situations. Maxwell describes this a choice instead of isolating oneself keeping people informed. Maxwell says good communicators use “thoughtfulness and humility attract people to their side”.

The next two chapters are speaking about connectors working hard on keeping it simple and crating an enjoyable situation. This is an idea that goes over the head of many the more complex the easier we may lose people. Clarity leads to fixing an issue though all may be able to identify it. Maxwell states that only “good leaders are able to cut through complexity to arrive to a solution”. Keeping it simple may take work it is hard to make things simple especially to others who are not inside your mind. One way we can do this is by getting to the point quicker instead of dragging out a story. This can be accomplished by using simple plain language and reputation of the primary message.

This come to the making it an enjoyable message making it appealing to the listeners. The message will never matter if people are falling asleep or can follow it so craft it accordingly. This means that we put more time into developing better opening lines In our day and age and its getting worse attention spans are shorter and it takes great crafting to keep the audience or even individuals connected. Be engaging to others and hold attention of others with applicable stories and pictures and inviting participation. In the visual age “people remember what they see and do much better than what they hear”.

The final two chapters speak to inspiring people and living what you communicate. People will put the work in depending on the quality of the leader. Good leaders inspire belief in the mission and make it evident the value for the people. There must be good vision and passion on part of the communicator or as Maxwell has developed to this pint leaders. The energy level must be there as well as living the message. Judging the communication is only the quick first part but to keep the audience and attention and the message it must be followed by example. Maxwell tells readers that overall “people buy in to the leader before they buy in to the message”. The best way to publicize the message is to live it. Whether or not you are tying to show people true colors they do eventually shine through. To really connect you must be a person people like to and want to connect with. How you portray yourself, what you communicate, and how you live need to be consistent.

Overall this was a book I needed to read. It made many great points to effective communication and was laid out in a way that made sense. It made uses of the points that Maxwell was trying to make by making it simpler to communicate he made this an easily communicated book. I would have liked more scripture and biblical principles but again he’s trying to reach people where they are at and this is more a book for everyone. I didn’t enjoy all the name dropping in certain parts but this was a great book and would highly recommend it to all trying to communicate God word or just communication in general. This is an excellent book with lots of insight when one considers communication as a necessary tool, which we all should. This book highlight the importance communicating with not just words but how to establish a connection with your communication which in the church needs to happen and not with just preachers.