Book Notes: Everyone Communicates, Few Connect

I received John Maxwell’s new book “Everyone Communicates, Few Connect” to review for my blog. I read it the week before I spent a week teaching a series of classes to 135 college students. I’m naturally an extrovert so I easily fit the category of “Everyone Communicates.” However, this book changed the way I interacted with students in positive ways by teaching me to shift my focus from communicating to connecting. Communication is important. However, connecting opens the door of influence.

“Everyone Communicates, Few Connect” goes beyond communication tactics to relationship building in three distinct contexts. Each chapter ends with principles and practices that facilitate connecting with audiences, groups, and one-on-one.

Maxwell describes 5 principles for connecting and 5 practices for connecting.  The principles are easy to understand and well illustrated. As a result of reading this book, I’ve stopped sitting in a chair waiting to speak and have begun circulating through the audience getting to know people. This type of connecting opens the door for me to add value to others.

The five connecting principles are:

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

The five connecting practices are:

1. Connectors Connect on Common Ground
2. Connectors Do the Difficult Work of Keeping It Simple
3. Connectors Create an Experience Everyone Enjoys
4. Connectors Inspire People
5. Connectors Live What They Communicate

If you work with people in any capacity, you need to read “Everyone Communicates, Few Connect.”

Two thumbs up from me.

Grace Freak Dan

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts

 

Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts 3^rd Edition may not sound like great reading.  After all, how exciting are maps and charts?  People on a journey enjoy a few maps and charts.  Well, some men might not use maps but, if you’re on the journey of discovering the Bible this book is a great tool.

From the get-go, I was surprised and pleased by the layout and content.  The book is laid out according to the Books of the Bible.  Here’s why I like it.  The pages have colorful column headers identifying content that follows.  In addition, you’ll find visual representations of the Bible books and events.  Furthermore, there are timelines that display historical context.  I like pictures!

The content is clear, concise and useable.  You’ll find short introductory material and outlines of each book of the Bible.  I find materials that explain the historical context help the text come alive.

Another nice feature is downloaded maps.  You’ll jump through a couple hoops to get them but they are worth the effort.  On the down side, the maps aren’t clearly named so it takes a bit of work to find the one you want.  The upside is I can project them on the screen while I’m teaching. 

Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts 3^rd Edition is not a tool for scholars.  However, it’s a great tool for those looking for background, historical, and geographical material that orients individuals to Biblical material.

Two thumbs up from me.

 Grace Freak Dan

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”