I work in sales, and have read several books on communication over the years. This book ranks highly. It has the advanatage of combining several of the best bits of several books condensed into one. E.g - How to talk to anyone (liel Lowendes - Conversation tips, networking tips, body language) - Influence (Robert Cialdini - 7 factors of influence) - The Way of the wolf (NLP - State management) - Pitch anything (Break down of the reptilian, mammalian and human elements of the brain and what this means for sales)
But it's also worth mentioning that there are some excellent new ideas contained in this book as well... Ultimately this is a brilliant resource for anyone looking to improve their communication skills .
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0* forcibly rounded up to 1. quite honestly THE worst book i've ever had the displeasure of reading. i would've DNF'd it if it hadn't been bought for me. this is a book written by a random bloke who wrote a book with little to no qualification to do so, then managed to sell it on amazon and sucker unsuspecting people into buying it. the book ambles around haphazardly through mixed-up analogies and random anecdotes (most of which sound fictionalised), thinking that simply writing them down constitutes advice being given. spoiler alert - nothing of value is said in at least the first four chapters. i stopped counting but i can only really recall one genuinely useful line, and that was somewhere right near the end of the book. plus, all this bs fluff is sandwiched between incredibly questionable resources cited (every one of which i looked up had been dragged for filth by the scientific community) and written entirely incomprehensibly. this man also cannot write an intelligible sentence to save his life. example of a real sentence in the book: "we also have the unconscious mind which controls the activities that go on out with of our conscious awareness." ?????? or this 'definition' that i came across: "pacing means pacing what a person is doing or pacing the experience." yeah, what?? there are so many more notes i took down that grated at me about this book but this rant has already been written very badly as a result of my irritation and i've no desire to raise my blood pressure talking about this nonsense book any longer.
Hidden Secrets in the Language of the Body I loved this book especially the language of the body and understanding the differences in male and female interaction, This is a wonderful tool to use in business but also in everyday life where this resource articulates 'how' very clearly. Lots of great examples included. The narrator's voice, tone, and modulation made this book very enjoyable to listen to. There were elements outlined that I had taken for granted and wasn't consciously realizing they were signs that had distinctive meaning. This is one of those rare books where I gained a lot of insights for social occasions just as much as for work purposes. Definitely recommend this book.
How to Talk to Anybody offers a fascinating blend of neuroscience and practical advice on communication, making it an essential read for anyone looking to improve their social skills in business, management, or personal settings.
One of the most striking points in the book is the idea that "the brain cannot tell the difference between something vividly imagined and something experienced." The author uses a compelling example: a group of volunteers either played piano notes or imagined playing them for five days. Both groups showed identical changes in the brain, proving that imagination can be as powerful as real experience. This insight explains why we can feel nervous or stressed even when nothing is happening—our brains are often creating imaginary scenarios that feel entirely real.
The book also dives into the concept of brain plasticity. Through the story of Matthew, who lives a normal life despite having half of his brain removed, the author illustrates the brain's incredible ability to adapt and rewire itself in response to new challenges. This notion of "neuroplasticity" reinforces that we have the potential to change and adapt throughout our lives, an empowering message for anyone struggling with personal growth or learning new skills.
The author emphasizes that our perceptions are not always aligned with reality. For example, only 20% of what we see is based on the actual light entering our eyes—the rest is constructed by our brains based on past experiences. This tendency of the brain to "fill in the gaps" explains phenomena like seeing faces in clouds or missing obvious objects in plain sight, such as our keys. It also points out how differently people can perceive the same situation, underlining the importance of empathy and open-mindedness in communication.
Another highlight is the book's practical tips on building rapport, like mirroring someone’s breathing or using language patterns that echo their own words. The "echo technique"—repeating back exactly what someone has said—creates an instant connection, making people feel heard and understood. Similarly, the idea of using the word "because" when asking for favors taps into a hardwired human bias to comply more readily when a reason is provided, even if the reason seems trivial.
The author also discusses body language, illustrating how leaning towards someone shows interest while distancing oneself shows the opposite. Upward gestures, such as those we instinctively use when talking positively, indicate optimism, while downward gestures suggest negativity. These insights into non-verbal communication are incredibly useful, especially for those navigating complex business environments.
In terms of dealing with challenging situations, the book offers tools for handling complaints and difficult personalities. By agreeing with someone and echoing their concerns before suggesting a solution, it becomes almost impossible for the other person to keep arguing, as they feel validated. This simple, yet powerful approach helps de-escalate tense situations and steer conversations towards a positive outcome.
In a world where effective communication is crucial, *How to Talk to Anybody* stands out as both enlightening and highly applicable. It not only provides a deep understanding of how the brain works in social interactions but also equips readers with practical strategies to become better communicators. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in mastering the subtle art of conversation—whether in business or in everyday life.
The book has two parts. The first part focuses on the science of the brain and what motivates it. The second part is the practical/applied part. I enjoyed and learned a lot from the first part of the book. I got a little from the second part. There were some excellent points, but fewer than in the first part. I decided to read this book because it had a very high review on Amazon. However, it has only a 3.54 score on goodreads, which is more realistic.
My rating system is as follows: 1 - I did not like the book at all. 3 - I learned something. But it did not significantly impact me, and I will not read it the second time. 5 - Huge impact on my life, view, and thinking. I could not stop thinking about this book. I will reread this book.
The first two chapters alone are riddled with grammatical errors, lack conciseness, and clarity. The sentences are overly wordy and confusing, mixing past and present tenses, making it challenging to read. It's quite a mess.
Skimmed over majority of the psychology part of the book and was more interested in the mindset of how to have effective communication whether it be with a group, 1 person, public speaking etc.