Don't Shut Up: How To Talk So The World Listens

by Prakhar Gupta

Your success in this world is proportional to your ability to manage the world and get what you need while building sustainable relationships. Communication in its various forms is the technology that allows you to do this. This is a handbook or a dictionary of communication related situations and how we would solve them. This is a simple and directly applicable toolkit for a communication-related situation you might have Tuesday morning for a presentation, or Friday evening on a date. What do you need with friends, dates, college, work, and life? What causes you to hold your voice in these situations and shut up? We magnified your life one conversation at a time, and discovered 23 situations which have the potential to impact your life and happiness. These 23 situations became the chapters for this book. We don't want this book to live in fancy libraries or downtown bookstores. We want this book to find a home in your backpack. It is hardcover by intention, because it is meant to last you through adulthood. How to use this book? Read the chapter you need, prepare for that conversation and when the time comes, don't shut up.

Genres: Communication, Nonfiction

275 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 4, 2022

Reviews

[Apurva Barve · Rating 4 out of 5]

We live in the world which our questions create, is a line said by David Cooperrider. Sometimes things are simple, and when approached in a correct way can be easily done or executed in a proper manner. Life goes on a higher side as we grow up and its just the type of questions and the area of those which change. We usually know what kind of things are going to take place but at the same time, it is a dilemma how to deal with those things. Well certain things can be taught or be presented earlier which can later be edited or changed as per the need. Certainly not every situation is dealt with like the way mentioned in texts or rather being told by someone. But for sure these things give us an idea about the way to approach those. So here we have the book titled “Don’t Shut Up” By Prakhar Gupta and Mudit Yadav, which claims to help people from different age groups to work/talk in a way that the world listens! Prakhar Gupta is a social commentator and entrepreneur who has taught and helped more than 2000+ students (as shown on his website ) of his in the art of conversation. He has his website learnwithprakhar.com through which he conducts his teaching. Mudit Yadav, CA CFA is the founder of My Success coach. He is a keynote speaker, executive coach on communication, leadership etc. Experienced with coaching executives at MNCs like Google, Cisco etc. Well this book is the compilation of their knowledge and experience compiled to teach you ways to efficiently communicate. The Book aims at helping you communicate better, which would in process lead to sustainable relationships, either maintaining or building, and also help you in situations where one may choke!
But! The question is how helpful it is? Well let's break it down!

The book consists of 23 already mentioned situations which a person faces in his lifetime, or to be specific, knowing or unknowingly drops in such! The book is divided into two parts, one which discusses your journey from Studenthood to adulthood, and the other one which talks about the time when you have become a grown up! These two parts discuss and tell you ways to tackle those specific age or situational problems! If we start to look around in the first part of the book, which a majority of the readers would relate (assuming that the age group is still quite young ) and the second part two is something more like a lesson which we should take note of. But before we talk about what is perfect to relate and what is not! I would like to appreciate both of the authors the way they have written these parts or chapters in a very easy language, easy to understand and maybe apply too! The book is fun to read as well as there isn’t a portion wherein you start to feel that its taking a more of a school learning turn! The way they have given titles to the chapters is also appreciable! To summarise this appreciation I would say that the authors have successfully made it a millennial guide! Moving on, the book starts with making friends in college, which in general is a question for many students starting in a new place, well this might help you! It is also a must know part which I personally felt that I should have known earlier which was having conversation with parents. Studenthood to Adulthood is a part which every individual faces in his student life, and well, having a bit of idea on how to face these situations can be really helpful! Whether it’s an insult or reacting in a nervous situation or even relationships, you got it all covered. Part one ends while entering the grown up zone, which is kinda preface to Part two of the book. The second part two of the book, which is the grown up zone, is the guide to managing things and putting up conversations in professional spaces as well as other things a grown up man or woman has to go throughout his personal life. The things included in here range from conversations with people of authority to writing cold emails and also delivering speeches etc.
To sum up the contents and review for the book, I would say it's a great millennial guide to situations certainly faced one or many times in life. It would have been fun if there would have been a bit more in addition to the topics like hospitals, finance, saying no etc. But what is presented in these 200 words is also fine! A read of this book would just help you understand and make you a bit more comfortable in such situations which definitely arise at one point of time. Well written, accurate on the explanation, throughout the book I felt that there wasn't a part which was written just for the purpose of writing. Kudos! To the authors who have written such a fine book, with realistic scenarios! Definitely worth a shot.

[Dhiraj Sindhi · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Don't Shut Up" by Prakhar Gupta and Mudit Yadav promises to equip readers with the tools to navigate any conversation confidently and finesse, from icebreakers to boardroom showdowns, with plenty of waypoints in between (nailing that first date, delivering a compelling speech, creating a personal brand at work, or finally learning to say no).

Divided into two parts, the book tackles the social complexities of young adulthood (by Gupta) and the professional world (by Yadav).

The strength of this practical handbook lies in its structured approach. Each chapter is divided into digestible sections that cover various aspects of communication with precision. The authors adeptly blend theoretical frameworks with real-life examples, facts, and anecdotes, enhancing the reader's understanding and engagement.

The book's second half, authored by Mudit Yadav, shines with its clarity and systematic approach. Readers will find invaluable insights into effective communication in professional settings presented in a concise, cohesive, and engaging manner.

However, the charm of the "Grown-Up Zone" doesn't translate to Prakhar Gupta's "Studenthood to Adulthood." The frenetic energy of the first part, while undeniably enthusiastic, lacks organization and cohesive flow. Some chapters feel out of place and poorly executed.

Read the full review on my blog - https://bit.ly/3Pl659W

[Harsxhit raikwar · Rating 1 out of 5]

This literary work presents itself as a subpar publication, revolving predominantly around self-indulgence, focusing solely on the author's ego and persona. Furthermore, the meticulous process of proofreading appears to have been neglected, resulting in a less than satisfactory reading experience.

[Arunava · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read about comminication. The second part resonated with me the most, almost as if written with me in mind.

A must read if you want to improve on your daily communications, both personal and professional.

[harsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

prakhar's part was so good - 4.5/5
mudit's part was a heap of corporate bullshitery, and did not tackle the skills part - rather it was more on the appearances - for someone with a few years of experience in the industry I would have skipped this part - 2/5
overall - 3/5

[Gaurav · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is one of the best book I have read so far on Communication

[Ajay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you bhai 🖤 finally I have found

[Reader✌ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome*