The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication Book Summary - The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication Book explained in key points
Listen to the Intro
00:00

The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication summary

John C. Maxwell

Apply Them and Make the Most of Your Message

4.5 (544 ratings)
16 mins

Brief summary

The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication is a guidebook by John C. Maxwell, teaching readers how to improve their communication skills through mastering 16 fundamental principles. It emphasizes the importance of effective communication in all aspects of life, from professional to personal.

Table of Contents

    The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication
    Summary of 7 key ideas

    Audio & text in the Blinkist app
    Key idea 1 of 7

    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.

    Want to see all full key ideas from The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication?

    Key ideas in The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication

    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    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.

    The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication Review

    The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication (2018) is a compelling exploration of the fundamental principles that guide effective communication. Here's why this book is worth your time:

    • The book offers practical strategies that can be immediately implemented, helping readers become better communicators in any situation.
    • By using real-life examples and case studies, it provides a concrete understanding of how the laws apply to various interpersonal interactions.
    • The book's insightful analysis of common communication mistakes and how to avoid them ensures readers develop the skills to excel in any professional or personal communication context.

    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

    Book summaries like The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication

    People ❤️ Blinkist 
    Sven O.

    It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

    Thi Viet Quynh N.

    Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

    Jonathan A.

    Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

    Renee D.

    Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.

    People also liked these summaries

    4.7 Stars
    Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
    31 Million
    Downloads on all platforms
    10+ years
    Experience igniting personal growth
    Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

    Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,000+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

    Start your free trial

    The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication FAQs 

    What is the main message of The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication?

    The main message of The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication is the importance of effective communication in all aspects of life.

    How long does it take to read The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication?

    The estimated reading time for The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in a matter of minutes.

    Is The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication a good book? Is it worth reading?

    The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication is a must-read for anyone who wants to improve their communication skills. It provides practical insights and actionable tips in a concise format.

    Who is the author of The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication?

    The author of The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication is John C. Maxwell.

    What to read after The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication?

    If you're wondering what to read next after The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Magic Words by Jonah Berger
    • Mastering Communication at Work by Ethan F. Becker and Jon Wortmann
    • Win Every Argument by Mehdi Hasan
    • Smarter Not Harder by Dave Asprey
    • Exactly What to Say by Phil M Jones
    • Unlearn by Humble the Poet
    • Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott
    • Communicate to Influence by Ben Decker & Kelly Decker
    • Nonviolent Communication by Marshall B. Rosenberg
    • Cues by Vanessa Van Edwards