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: Psychology of Persuasion: The Sequel
Review: I agree with others that this is Rocky II. A more spiritual sequel to the Psychology of Persuasion than one might have expected but quite good nevertheless. This book has the best discussion of dealing with personality types I've seen in a communication book. When you are on, you have to be able to move quickly and some books simply offer "recipes" of communication that are too cumbersome. Talk Your Way to the Top is poorly titled but offers excellent food for thought in the discussion about values and how the pertain to the gaining of compliance. Hogan clearly seems to start moving away from his traditional NLP background in this book but there is still that glint of Bandlerian technique even in this advanced tome. A few chapters at the end of the book could have been deleted for a quicker read, but I digress. This is an excellent follow up to The Psychology of Persuasion.
Rating: 
Summary: Poor writing a hinderance
Review: I'm sure this book has a few good nuggets, but wading through the poor writing to find them is like finding a needle in a hay stack. The book is written on about an 8th grade level, and is poorly organized, as well. For someone who is writing about how to communicate with people, he needs his own course in how to communicate in writing effectively.
Rating: 
Summary: A great work, but listing as "Unabridged" is not honest
Review: Many thanks to Mr.Hogan for what he put down in the book-- clear, sometimes eye-opening, and vivid (with great examples).
But I also bought the audiotape to be disappointed by the fact that it's not what it claims here to be "Unabridged". The book's got 17 chapters. The 2 tapes only cover about 7, of which I take the first 4 as great, while the rest as a pity for not on the more important subjects. Generally, I like this book, but please be honest. Or, mybe it's an unintentional mistake. Anyway, I still respect American people's honesty in doing bussiness. ( Been taken good care in my experiences) Thank you all.
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: Finally something that teaches good communication skills
Review: This book is filled with very good and interesting information. From my standpoint it was very interesting because in my occupation I am the one who is sent in when a customer is unhappy and have to try to save the project. I am very successful at that but have had a very hard time training others in how to get to the root of a problem and find a way to work it out to regain a working relationship. As I read through this book I recognized item after item that I do easily and naturally. This book finally quantifies those items and does so in a way where a person can train themselves to deal with difficult people or difficult situations. Of course, it would be even better to know these principles from the beginning so that you don't get into those awkward situations to begin with.
Unless you are a complete hermit who does not deal with anyone on a regular basis, this book can prove helpful to you. Read it, practice it, read it again. Don't believe the title that this is just about talking your way to the top of an organization, it is an excellent book about communication and getting ahead in all aspects of life.
I even passed it along to a teenager who is having problems with social acceptance at his school. I advised him to pick a chapter and try the techniques in it on purpose for a week, then pick another chapter and concentrate on it for a week. After three weeks he indicated that people no longer turn away from him when he approaches, say hello to him on the streets, etc. It is taking hard work for him but the results are nothing short of amazing.
I did not care for Chapters 11 and 12 where he moves from communication with and between others to a form of self therapy. Perhaps others will find it valuable but I did not. There are better books where the whole book deals with self-talk and personal therapy of various types. That being said, it is still the best book that I have found on communication skills and how to deal with other people. It is in fact just what it says, communication secrets to change your life. It just became required reading for project managers at my company.
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: Persuasion Volume 2!
Review: This book probably should have been titled, The Psychology of Persuasion Volume Two. It really is quite good. I bought it for the body language information and was not disappointed. I really enjoyed the spirit of this book which was very different from his other two books I bought. This book is more motivational and more serious than the other two. What really worked for me outside of the body language material was information about values. Everyone knows values are important but Kevin's treatment was unique. A special book by a special person.
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.
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