The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication Book Summary - The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication Book explained in key points

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The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication summary

Name: The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication
Rating: 4.5 (430 reviews)
Author: John C. Maxwell

John C. Maxwell

Apply Them and Make the Most of Your Message

4.5 (430 ratings)

16 mins

Topics

Skills Promotion Goals Presentations & Public Speaking Leadership Storytelling

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The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication
Summary of 7 key ideas

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What’s in it for me? Catalyze action and add value by applying the fundamentals of effective communication.

Few have described the dread of public speaking as aptly as American comedian Jerry Seinfeld. Quoting a study that listed public speaking as the worst fear of the average person, followed by death, he said people would rather be in the casket than deliver the eulogy at a funeral.

Yet everyone has something important to share – and the best way to transmit those messages is through public speaking, whether it’s at family gatherings, office meetings, workshops, community events, or political rallies.

On top of that, Harvard Business Review reveals that effective communication is the number one skill you need to get promoted. Beyond the workplace, effective speaking is also one of the most surefire ways to build lasting relationships and accomplish your goals.

In this Blink to John C. Maxwell’s The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication, you’ll learn the principles that guarantee great communication. Apply them, and your message won’t just propel you forward – it’ll inspire other people to take action and improve their lives as well.

Becoming a credible messenger

A woman who’d tried and failed to stop her little boy from eating sugar took him to see Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi told them to return after three days. But when they did, Gandhi simply asked the boy to stop eating sugar.

Why had he made them wait three days for such a boring cure? Well, Gandhi said, he needed to give up his own addiction to sugar in order to instruct the boy with any conviction.

In other words, when the messenger is credible, the message becomes effective. Credibility starts with honesty from the inside. People intuitively sense when the message authentically reflects the person. Honesty definitely doesn’t mean presenting yourself as perfect. People will respect you for the things you’ve accomplished and love you for having the courage to share your blunders.

Another aspect your audience will notice is how comfortable you are in your own skin. Observe and learn as much as you can from great speakers you admire, but always stay true to your unique qualities and personality.

When you do speak, pick a subject you feel strongly about. This has a lot of advantages. First, you’ll be playing a field you know, and will likely have endless personal stories to draw on. Subjects you’ve mastered will also roll off your tongue with a lot more eloquence and conviction, which people connect with.

The law of credibility is the essential starting point on your journey to becoming an effective communicator. As much as possible, be authentic, self-aware, and speak to what you know – and you’ll be well on your way to engaging your core audience.

Prepare, prepare, and prepare

Winston Churchill once described his adversary as never knowing what to say before he spoke, never knowing what he was saying while he spoke, and never being sure of what he’d said after he’d spoken.

Churchill understood the value of preparation, and his diligent efforts made him one of the greatest speakers of all time. So before taking on a speaking engagement, do your homework. You can’t tell your audience what you don’t know.

Content is king

While Bill Gates was building Microsoft, he had an idea that seemed slightly odd in the ’90s era of celebrity tech founders. He felt so strongly about the subject that he wrote an essay about it, titled “Content is King.”

His prediction, published in 1996, was simple: those who created great content would ultimately overtake the tech founders. No wonder he’s still a prolific blogger!

Connecting with your audience

In the last section, you learned about the importance of great content. Now imagine carrying that great content into a Zoom call. But midway through the meeting, someone has to comfort a crying baby. Do you continue through the interruption, or pause to show concern?

That, of course, was a rhetorical question. Taking a minute to check if everything’s OK, and acknowledging the participant as an attentive carer, will build a deeper connection and make your message resonate more.

The power of storytelling

Let’s take a moment to talk about stories. Specifically, how do you tell a story that will captivate your audience and amplify your message?

It turns out there’s a simple formula to this ancient human tradition. The building blocks are your hero, their goal, a conflict, and a resolution.

Using real-time feedback to improve delivery

To end, let’s go back to Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream.” One of the greatest speeches of all time wouldn’t have happened the way you know it if King hadn’t been good at getting real-time feedback. As he spoke on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963, he felt he could do better.

As King paused, he heard gospel singer Mahalia Jackson encourage him to tell the world about the dream he’d shared before at smaller events. Picking up this feedback, King soared into a climax that changed the course of history.

Final Summary

Anyone can overcome fear or inexperience and become a powerful public speaker by learning the rules that govern effective communication. Before you start your public speaking journey, strive to live the values you preach – this will help you build credibility and talk with conviction.

Next, prepare yourself and your message through frequent practice and diligent research. That’s how you build excellent content. Delivered with emotion, this content will connect with listeners and inspire your audience to take action.

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What is The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication about?

The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication (2023) addresses the fear of public speaking. It offers tried-and-true techniques that can transform any beginner or average speaker into a trusted and effective communicator.

Who should read The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication?

Anyone trying to improve their communication skills
Speakers addressing anyone from small groups to stadium crowds
Leaders and organizers looking to inspire their teams

About the Author

John C. Maxwell’s name is synonymous with leadership. He has trained millions across the world through his organization, Maxwell Leadership, and his groundbreaking ideas have been published in several best sellers including The 5 Levels of Leadership, The 360° Leader, Developing The Leader Within You, and The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. The ordained Wesleyan minister is an inductee of the National Speakers’ Association Hall of Fame and a winner of the prestigious Toastmasters Golden Gavel award for public speaking.

Categories with The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication

Communication Skills Management & Leadership Career & Success

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