The Revolutionary Communicator: Seven Principles Jesus Lived to Impact, Connect and Lead

Very few Christian books have promoted the power and importance of story telling. They may suggest that Jesus used parables and we should too, but they usually fall short in actually teaching you how to do it. While The Revolutionary Communicator does not go into great depth, it does point out the often overlooked type of story - the one line story. This book points out the use of these stories by Christ. For example, chapter five points out, "Rather, He painted the jarring word picture of a man who has a beam poking out of his eye trying to pick a fleck of sawdust from the eye of another." The book calls these word pictures and they are very powerful. I also liked the way the book starts each chapter by comparing common myths with true realities. I think there is actually some truth in some of the myths, but it's a great way to place the chapters in context. Also, the chapter summaries are excellent. You can read the whole book through, then spend one morning reading the begining comparisons and chapter summaries to really drive the points home. In fact, I read the book a few months ago. I just took it out the other day and reread the summaries and it all came flooding back. Great book! Blessings, Tom Carpenter

Are you a storyteller? Do you enjoy hearing stories? Are you even AWARE of the stories around you? This is an insightful and entertaining work of art. I cannot recommend it enough. The authors move you through 7 principles of Jesus' communication, taking you to a deeper level of what it means to truly communicate, to be authentic in the way you lead your life and empathize with those around you. This book will resonate with the modern reader from its real life examples and glimpses into the lives of your authors (and you may even be surprised at how often you have been in similar situations...buzz buzz). Erik and Jedd weave together intricate stories from the past, the Bible, popular culture and modern life, painting a glorious picture of Christ's love, and how we too can learn to communicate like Christ in our every day life. Communication is about so much more than the words you use; it's about the manner in which you live your life. Get this book, you'll laugh, you'll cry, and you will be amazed by the power of communication. What are you communicating?

I am always looking for insights into best practices related to communications and improving relations. As such this book is outstanding, and discusses some tried and true communication techniques that all too often are underutilized. The authors are both adept communicators, one being a cabinet-level speechwriter, and the other a highly regarded communications director. The book is well written, and very easy to read. One aspect I really enjoyed is the numerous "personal notes" written on many pages, which share some stories related to the texts. In this book one of the main insights is that "effective communication is a way of life". When considering the lack of "attentiveness" in the section titled "Can you hear me now" the authors depict the paradox of modern life due to technology, as we have not really become a "global village", rather modern people have largely become "global voyeurs" peering in through others windows with fascination, but rarely gazing eye to eye in shared interest, connectedness, and understanding (Page 2). In fact one of the stark realities of a modern leader is that "most people care little if you built grand towers, or steered a Fortune 500 corporation. They want to know one thing: Do you care about me?" (Page 9) Another key issue in communication is the lack of connection. "We seek impact without involvement, like a busy executive sending an assistant to pick up their sick child from school. Real connection is never so safe or cost free" (Page 31). In many situations the key to effective communication is to ask a lot of questions (Chapter 3). Jesus was adept at asking questions which got right to the heart of the matter. In fact, "whenever enduring life change is the goal, there is simply no substitute for questions that are sincere, situation-specific, audience centered and decisively clarifying, and that allow your listeners to decide for themselves" (Page 62). When discussing "authenticity" the authors describe four key decisions we each can make that communicate authenticity and build trust. These key steps include; The decision to prize truth-telling over image-making; The decision to build character rather than manage impressions; The decision to offer what you have, rather than what you wish you could give; The decision to break free from expectations, cliché, and pat answers when they distort reality." (Page 87) There are several more chapters, each as in depth and deep as what has been described. One of the sections on "story-telling" provides a fitting backdrop to the numerous stories throughout the book. This book is well written and every page has nuggets of truth that resonates right to your heart. Highly recommended for everyone who desires stronger relationships and an improved ability to communicate and connect with others.

After their gospel sharing tour of the world Medefind and Lokkesomoe know something about communication. What is eye catching and thought provoking is their compare and contrast stories of the modern world and Jesus Christ. For Christians this book will give them a working model to communicate like Jesus. For non-Christians they offer the man Jesus as someone who understands what all the pop analysts, public relation firms, and political spinmeisters are trying to discover - the principles of effective even revolutionary communication.

If you are thirsty for something more satisfying than the average "how to be a success" book, I am sure you will find The Revolutionary Communicator a refreshing departure from the norm. Expecting to uncover another publication claiming simple steps toward self-improvement, I was delighted to find a wholly different premise in this text. Indeed, this book captures seven attributes from the life of Jesus, but doesn't hastily package them as simple steps. Through a variety of stories, history, and even anecdotes from the authors' lives the book makes clear that effective communcation is much more than technique. While the book extrapolates lessons from the life of Jesus, one need not identify with a particular faith to enjoy the concepts it presents. Anyone desiring to be a better communicator, whether in personal or business relationships, should find the book accessible. Stylistically, the text is well crafted and has a natural flow. The fluid language could relax you into "easy reading" mode as it did me at times. If you are serious about learning something from the text and not just adding to the number of books you have read, be careful not to read too fast.