Now hear this! Thoughts on *Law of Connection* audiobook by Michael Losier (guest post)

This review is a guest post written by my neighbor, Sherry, who often listens to audiobooks on a two-hour commute she makes several times a month.  She found Law of Connection “mildly interesting” but she wasn’t “overly enthused.”  It was a good audio to multi-task with while driving.  I really appreciate how she put her own experience and observations into this review.

• Law of Connection by Michael Losier
• Unabridged Compact Disc (3 CDs / 2.5 hours)
• Publisher: Wellness Central / Hachette Audio (June 2009)
• ISBN-13: 9781600246067

Back-of-the-box blurb: Are there certain people you cannot seem to communicate with–at home, at work, or in your community? You say one thing, they hear something different. You simply do not understand one another, and you cannot explain why. The only thing you are certain of is that the lack of connection leads to disappointment, frustration, and conflict.

Now in LAW OF CONNECTION, Michael J. Losier gives you the key to successful communication. Using the principles of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), you will soon master the few simple skills needed to create better understanding with people in every aspect of your life.

With tips, tools, exercises, and scripts to guide you, you will discover:
–the three conditions for connecting
–techniques for calibrating your conversations
–four easy methods for effective communication
–tips for creating positive rapport in all kinds of situations
–a special section for teachers, trainers, and anyone who makes group presentations.

Bring LAW OF CONNECTION home to your family and introduce it into your workplace. Watch and listen as communication improves wherever you are, and your relationships become fuller, richer, and free of conflict.

Sherry’s thoughts: Michael Losier wrote a previous book called Law of Attraction which gave his theory on how to attract someone’s attention; Law of Connection now gives you theory and pointers to keep a connection with that person.  Also he has help for getting along and communication with family and co workers, as well as information for people in sales that need to connect well with others for their work.

Losier tells us that there are four types of communication styles: visual, auditory, kinesthetic and digital.  He points the reader/listener to an online test to determine which style you have.  According to the author, you can relate to people of your own style most easily but need to understand the other styles so you can have rapport with others.  You can figure out which style they have by the phrases they use.

There were some interesting points but it seemed over simplified.  The basic flaw is that people are far more complex.  In my opinion, relating to others well and establishing rapport takes listening well, speaking well, having things in common, being fun or interesting, and sometimes it is that intangible quality that makes someone a good communicator.  And let’s face it – some people are easier to communicate with that others.  If you (or the person you are speaking with) are boring, unpleasant, self- centered or extremely shy –then you will have trouble establishing rapport despite understanding someone’s supposed communication style.  Personality and chemistry are a large factor in whether you connect with someone; appearance and body language also have an effect.

I personally have traits of the kinesthetic (I like to have my stuff with me), auditory and visual.  I do not have any traits from the digital (computer nerd) communicator.  Those are people who are methodical, logical, orderly.  My son-in-law, who would be considered a digital communicato, has a Master’s Degree in astrophysics.  Despite our different traits, we communicate well since we both like snow and water sports and we often go skiing together; we just have always “hit it off” despite our different styles.

When I see that authors are reading their own books, I often pass on them because they generally do not have a professional voice and may not be pleasant to listen to.   I found this to be the case with this author.  He speaks well but has a slightly nasal and unpleasant tone to his voice and I feel that it would have been better to have someone else read his book.  Even the tone of someone’s voice can have an effect on communication and rapport!

I enjoyed the last several chapters.  There were some interesting points at the end about communication for teachers and trainers.  There was also information about designing websites and how to appeal to all the different styles in order to have a successful website.

All in all, this book would be mildly interesting for those who are in professions that require making a quick connection such as sales, as well as some good points for teachers and communicators.