Talk Your Way to the Top: Communication Secrets to Change Your Life

Rating:
Summary: Talk So People Listen
Review: A better title for this book would have been Talk So People Listen. There is very little about climbing the ladder of success and very much about effective communication.

Something that Hogan does here and not in his other work is the regular reminders of key concepts and ideas. Throughout the book you find almost 200 boxed and bolded concepts that really encapsulate the core of the message of Talk Your Way to the Top. This highlighting of key ideas worked.

The first two chapters read like a good motivational speakers best presentation. Mixing fact with enthusiasm the author lays out the reasons to learn how to communicate (talk and listen) better.

What attracted me to reading the balance of the book (as I don't prefer the motivational aspects as much as some certainly will) is Chapter Three which provides a brilliant distillation of eliciting values from others and gently utilizing that information to build rapport and learn more about others.

His touching story in Chapter Four about meeting the little girl in a wheel chair at a book signing gone wrong literally brings you to tears and the entire chapter not only educates but works.

Chapter Five isn't as on target as the rest of the book. The communication skills for success aren't original though they certainly are effective in the workplace.

Understanding Personality Traits (Ch. 6) is a treat. The author takes Carl Jung and does Jung justice in expanding on how to communicate effectively with different types of people with different personality quirks and traits. The examples and detail of the chapter are worthy of merit.

Can You Hear Your Body Talking (Ch. 7) is the strongest chapter in the book. Here Hogan clearly details difficult to understand nonverba communication theory. This is one of Hogan's strength's. Teaching the individual the process of thinking and evaluating the communication of others while staying in the moment. The nonverbal tips and techniques are well structured and provide enough detail for any reader to feel they got their feet wet.

The next few chapters were probably written as one long chapter then divided by divine fiat as they are collectively quite good. Here you learn the 8 Habits of Highly Ineffective Communicators. If you are like me you will feel a bit uncomfortable at times as you read about yourself in some of the styles of communication. The highlight of these chapters is the simplicity and easy "dosing" of criticism that you accept and understand as you go through these chapters. It's not easy to read about your weaknesses, but without these chapters you may only have a surface value book instead of something that actually creates change within. These chapters worked even though they were a bit awkward.

The chapter on dealing with Well Intentioned Dragons (individuals who both have bring out the worst in you yet are obligated to communicate with regularly) is well done and not an easy topic to handle. Dealing with Emotional Vampires isn't easy and this chapter succeeded at helping understand just how to do it.

There is an interview with a talk show host that doesn't really work and then a well thought out exposition of evolutionary psychology in what is a very spiritual book. I'm not certain how they all fit together. Most of the balance of the book is quite good if not in tune with the first half of the text.

Overall this is an excellent book and worthy of being on the salesperson's shelf.

This is probably not Hogan's finest work. That would have to be reserved for The Psychology of Persuasion and perhaps Irresistible Attraction. This is an excellent text for nurturing communication in relationships in business and personal life.

Rating:
Summary: Communication Secrets that Will Change Your Life
Review: The long awaited sequel to The Psychology of Persuasion is out and it is fantastic! This is a slightly more serious Kevin Hogan sharing his newest communication ideas that sometimes are so profound...they just startle you. He shares profound insights into intrapersonal communication that I have never heard him speak of (I've seen Kevin speak many times). The most valuable chapters are those where he presents his secrets of Charismatic Communication, the 21st Century Sales Model and what will probably become well known as a controversial chapter about who gets to the top! This really is a wonderful book. Five stars plus.

Rating:
Summary: Should have been titled Psychology of Persuasion The Sequel
Review: This book is really a motivational advanced Psychology of Persuasion. (Hogan's other book.)

I probably read it too fast. My book is underlined and I have yellow highlighting on almost every page. It's that good. More than The Psychology of Persuasion, the author really focuses on ethical persuasion and defusing conflict situations. He does talk about business and selling a lot but there are also uses of persuasion among friends and significant others.

I was surprised how much I liked this book. I didn't like the title but I did like that it was written by Hogan who I have seen in person. Good person, good book, good skills I will learn to master in the book. I almost want to call the book, "special" because of the content and the gentle way it is presented.

Rating:
Summary: Communicate Better
Review: This book really helps me communicate better. I've never read most of the ideas in this book, and I read a lot!

Kevin is a great teacher and that includes his books.

This along with Irresistible Attraction are my favorites!

Rating:
Summary: Secrets for Top-Level Talking
Review: Want an inexpensive tool to improve your ability to speak well? Within the pages of Kevin Hogan's book, you'll find practical, workable, user-friendly chapters to help you "Talk Your Way to the Top."

Key finding: Hogan says positive and confident communicators are not born-they are made. He provides techniques and strategies to help you become successful in everything from intimate to business relationships. For example, Hogan teaches you tricks to help you turn wary prospects into willing customers who feel satisfied after their purchases. For male clientele, Hogan even tells you how to give them a successful testosterone rush and the benefits of linking your product or service to that rush. (Perhaps in a future book, Hogan will tell how to give female clientele an estrogen rush!)

One of the most valuable portions of the book is Hogan's "Outcome-Based Thinking Model of Clear Communication," that encourages you to bring six outcome-oriented questions to every important communication. Another intriguing collection is Hogan's "Eight Habits of Highly Ineffective Communicators."

This is definitely a read worth your time.

Rating:
Summary: Buy This Book Now!
Review: Your relationships haven't always worked, but do you know why? Do you notice that you keep finding the same "type" of person to be in relationship with?
Read this profound book and discover the secrets to creating lasting and happy relationships!
As a Certified Relationship Coach, I find the information in Kevin Hogan's book "Talk Your Way To The Top" supreme, and a MUST READ for my clients and peers!
Dr. Kevin Hogan is a master at revealing the secrets to communicating effectively and genuinely with others. And what you learn about yourself by doing the exercises will change your life!
If you are really serious about making remarkable changes in the way you relate to others and in your relationships -- buy this book now and read it!