by Beth Cole

John Maxwell is a master of illustration. Everyone Communicates, Few Connect, is jam-packed with quotes, stories and examples to help you become a better communicator.

The book is divided into two sections: Connecting Principles, and Connecting Practices. Each chapter is a pleasant and fast paced primer on communication. You will understand how connection and likeability can improve one-to-one, small group and large audience relationships, and how connecting is all about others.

Maxwell says when people enter into a relationship with you they may think:

1. Do you care for me?
2. Can you help me?
3. Can I trust you?

He demonstrates how to tap into the emotional pipeline of any interaction by caring more for the other person’s needs, and less for your own. He will lead you step by step through a process you can apply right away to improve your interactions with others.

One takeaway I have from the book is this very special quote that has been a favorite of mine for many years:

“People will not always remember what you said.
They will not always remember what you did.
But, they will always remember how you made them feel.”

I love this! It is a beautiful summary of  Everyone Communicates, Few Connect.

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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.”

by Beth Cole

“I don’t want to be a Christian dork.”

This is one fear that prevents many believers (myself included)  from stepping into the life and the identity God has prepared for us.

The Vertical Self, by Mark Sayers, is about recognizing this identity and owning it in a way that is the total opposite of dorkiness, a new level of  “cool.”  It is about accepting no substitutes for the best life God intends for you.

This book held me captive from the beginning. I felt like I was sitting at the feet of a gentle story teller as the author gave example after example of what it means to seek an identity from culture or other people’s opinions. I could definitely relate to the evidence of this identity crisis that I see all around me and in myself.

This book gave me a biblical wake up call of who I am in Christ. It made me think. I gained a fresh perspective on what I can hold on to and what I will let go of. I will definitely recommend this book to others.

Read it if you are ready to be challenged and changed.

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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.”

Anyone can apply to be a book reviewer, after acceptance you will be able to choose a book to review and in exchange you agree to write a short review on your blog.

The books I will be reviewing may be business related, but they will more likely pertain to the bigger picture of life. I am hoping these reviews will be an encouragement to you, much like I have been encouraged by other people’s reviews.

My first review will be The Vertical Self, by Mark Sayers, and I am looking forward to sharing it with you. I may review other books that aren’t part of the BookSneeze program, too.

What do you think, are you going to become a book reviewer, too?