John C. Maxwell’s latest installment focuses on improving your speaking and presentation to connect with people. While we may be great in our careers and niches, some lack the skills to connect with people, which can make or break our advancement. Maxwell’s writing style always flows and reads like a story to remember rather than a boring business conference, and this is what makes his books great! Maxwell incorporates personal stories and experiences that make the book fun to read for those who are sidetracked or intimidated by business tomes. Maxwell’s message is so simple and sinking, the knowledge easy enough to understand without taking notes.
The low point of the book was its writer Charlie Wetzel’s tirade in Chapter 5, describing his own perspective on Maxwell’s connection abilities. The piece is redundant and boring and glorifies Maxwell’s amazing abilities to the point where we roll our eyes and long to move on. Right after this tirade, Maxwell immediately comments on his awareness that this is selfish, which is quite comical, but still doesn’t redeem the boring tirade.
Overall, the book is extremely beneficial and helpful from an interpersonal communications point of view. For introverts like me, who do great work but aren’t social or connecting, this book will help them develop.
Material Connection Disclosure: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze book review blogger program. I was not obligated 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: “Guidelines on the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”