Review - Everyone Communicates Few Connect

John Maxwell knows how to connect with people. You might be thinking “Good for him, I sure don’t.” Yet if you’re considering this book, you know you want to be able to. Maxwell explains in a new book “Everyone Communicates, Few Connect” that “If you want to learn how to connect and thereby become more effective in everything you do, there’s good news. Even if connecting with others isn’t something you’re good at today, you can learn how to do it and become better tomorrow. And that’s why I wrote this book.”  Maxwell succeeds at his purpose in this very helpful and well-written book from Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Connecting doesn’t have to be a vague idea. Maxwell notes “Connecting is the ability to identify with people and relate to them in a way that increases your influence with them.” The good news, and the reason for the hope that we can improve at doing this, is that it’s not primarily about us, our skill or our personality. In fact, there’s a whole chapter on “Connecting is all about others.” Seeing this through his book was probably the key idea for me, though getting some practical ways to try to do this better was also great.

The book has two parts – the principles of connecting, and the practices of connecting. At the end of each chapter is a very helpful recap with the key concept of the chapter, and practical ideas for connecting one-to-one, in a group, and with an audience.

Table of Contents

Part I: Connecting Principles

1. Connecting Increases Your Influence in Every Situation

2. Connecting is All About Others

3. Connecting Goes Beyond Words

4. Connecting Always Requires Energy

5. Connecting Is More Skill Than Natural Talent

Part II: Connecting Practices

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

Conclusion

I enjoyed “Everyone Communicates” and hope I can put its wisdom into practice. I’ve certainly noticed over the years that as I focus less on me and how much I know, and more on who the other person is, what they need and what they think, that it’s been much easier to connect, as well as have a positive influence in their lives. If you want to have a greater impact in the lives of others, you would do well read to read "Everyone Communicates, Few Connect: What the Most Effective People Do Differently".

Disclaimer: I received a free review copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publisher’s BookSneeze program, made comments on an online draft manuscript, and along with other commenters my name and photo are included in the book.

I'm getting Less Clutter

Not only Less Clutter. But Less Noise too! Are the kids heading to the grandparents for the summer?

Nope, even better, I won a book!?  (Don't laugh at the even better part, I kinda like to read!)
Kem Meyer, Communications Director at Granger Community Church, just had a 'blog tour' to get the word out about her new book "Less Clutter. Less Noise." This book is about using simple strategies to get your word out, reducing the clutter and noise. With lots of stories and tips, it's a great book for those wanting to improve their communication skills. 27 blogs participated, each asking a question for Kem to answer, and giving away a free copy of the book. I went to make a comment or two, but found the answers too interesting and I kept following the tour. In the end, I found several new blogs to follow, and made connections with some neat people.

I won a free copy of the book on Adam Mashni's blog. Adam is the Associate High School Director at NorthRidge Church in Plymouth, Michigan. He loves helping teenagers find truth in a world where they’re surrounded by uncertainty. Thanks Adam!!

I also won a free copy from Kim Bontrager's blog. Kim is the worship leader at First Mennonite Brethren Church in Wichita, Kansas. She's also a mom, a wife, and a creative person with a great heart to love and serve God in a number of ways. I knew of another creative leader/mom/communicator who would benefit from Kem's book, and Kim graciously offered to pass on that giveaway copy to her. Thanks Kim!!

Then something else cool happened. On Faye Bryant's blog the winner was Chris Hill. Chris is the iCampus pastor for The Ridge Community Church. Chris has a passion to help people connect with Jesus Christ, build real community in a virtual world, and help other people to grow and make a difference. Well, he practices what he preaches, and shot me an email offering to send me the book when he was finished reading it! I told him that was no longer necessary, but that his gesture (along with the whole blog tour) has really shown me that 'online community' is not an oxymoron. Bloggers are not just people who vent their opinions and tear down other people, they can really have a heart to work together, share thoughts and resources, and grow together as we serve the same Lord.

I followed along the blog tour looking for information, and instead found some great people, and some wisdom. So thanks to all who participated, bloggers and commenters alike, and to Kem for pushing hard to get all that writing done in a single day!