Everything You Need to Know to Talk Your Way to Sucess

Kaplan maintains that "failures of communication are at the root of every human problem" and that "if, alone or together, we create bad communication, we can un-create it." In exceptionally readable (if a bit hype-laden and breathless) prose, he present both time-tested and state-of-the-art tips on "How to Stop Shooting Yourself in the Foot and Start Getting What You Want." All of these skills are "both universal and portable": that is, they will, once mastered, improve your chances of success in business, social, community, and even family situations. When I teach networking seminars designed especially for folks who think they're too shy to network effectively, I recommend Kaplan's book as a confidence-booster with particular relevance in improving conversation skills. Great tips can be found in Chapter 2, "Controlling the Conversation"; "Chapter 4, "Questions"; Chapter 3, "Issuing Orders and Instructions"; Chapter 6, "Persuasion" (which outlines "Six Steps Guaranteed to Persuade Anybody to Do Anything" and "What to Do When They Say No"); Chapter 8, "Negotiating: Twenty-Two Secrets of Professional Negotiators That Inform, Inspire, and Persuade Others"; and Chapter 9, "Correcting Others: Thirteen Workable Ways to Change What People Do...Without Arounsing Resentment." Beyond these gems, there are also chapters on "power words" (applicable to both speaking and wirting), effective writing (with an emphasis on business letters and memos), public speaking (how to "be as effective on your feet as you are in private"), and even how to break the ice with potential romantic partners. Several lifetimes' worth of practical wisdom that's virtually certain to make anyone a better communicator.

I enjoyed this book. Kaplan incorporated personal success techniques into every aspect of life: listening, speaking, thinking, writing, body language,etc.. The only reason I didn't give this book a solid 5-star review: The names of the many people used as examples were hokey. He also used way too many examples. I would much rather read specific advise, as opposed to real or fictitious 'real life' situations. On a positive note, this book is well written and offers tons of useful advise. I highly recommend it.