Everyone Communicates, Few Connect: What the Most Effective People Do Differently by John C. Maxwell
I must admit I love a book on anything to do with connecting! It’s quite self-helpy but you can get away with it for business as 
well!
For me, the best part of this book was how it reminded me just how important connecting is. Sure it’s always zinging about in the back of my mind somewhere, but it sometimes takes a useful/practical book like this to bring it to the forefront.
Have you ever stopped to wonder just how much of your life depends on your connections with others?
Think about your connections with your
- boss (payrise, promotion, or fired?)
- family (love, support, fun times or…)
- customer service people (great service or service that ends with you wanting to bite something/someone)
- the list goes on 🙂
Do you think the amount of money you make is relative to your ability to connect? Check this:
“The number one criteria for advancement and promotion for professionals is an ability to communicate effectively.” (from the book)
I’ve picked out my favourite quotes from the book and created five principles that I think will see you in pretty good stead for connecting to anyone wonderful that come across in life.
1. It’s about them, not you
“First, I would study good communicators, which is something I have done ever since. Second, I would try to connect with others by focusing on them and their needs instead of my own.”
2. Appreciate people (everyone craves it) – especially your customers
“Business goes where it wants to, but it stays where it’s appreciated.”
3. It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it (an oldie but a goodie)
“The exact words that you use are far less important than the energy, intensity, and conviction with which you use them.”
4. Remember that introverts aren’t just people who hide in a corner at parties – we can actually be pretty sparkly!
“Now, when I tell people at work I’m an introvert, they laugh. But introverts can exhibit extroverted behavior—[however] it really drains us and we need to recharge sooner than an extrovert.”
5. Golden rule: always search for common ground (and if you look hard enough you’ll find something!)
“People who connect are always searching for common ground.”
Want more? Get the book on amazon here.
Happy reading,
C x
The Marketer's Bookshelf 