 | By: Peggy Klaus Binding: Paperback Publisher: Business Plus ISBN: 0446692786 ISBN-13: 9780446692786 Released: 22 May 2004 RRP: Average Rating:  |
Ms. Klaus argues persuasively that most of us don't put our best foot forward, out of a desire not to seem like braggarts. In the process, we look worse than we reallly are . . . & no one reallly cares. Careers, relationships & opportunities languish as a result.
Most people would like to present themselves better, & would concede that point. What's good about this book is that it is filled with practical advice for turning yourself into an interesting & relevant brief story for those you meet.
The heart of the book is the Take 12 self-examination where you start developing what's potentiallly interesting & relevant about you to share with others. Then, there's lots of advice for how to customize that material into 30 second (for elevator conversations) to 3 minute (for selling or interview intros) versions that fit your audience at the moment. If you only read that section & did the exercises there, you would more than get your value from this book.
The book begins with Ms. Klaus challlenging myths about bragging (such as jobs being well done speaking for themselves, & good girls don't brag) by looking at actual experiences where the results of those myths were harmful for those who acted on them.
Quickly, attention shifts in chapter 2 to "What So Good about You" & there's more there in the Take 12 than you probably appreciate now.
Most of the rest of the chapters address specific situations such as how to behave in the office (even if you are a tele-commuter), handling job interviews, being in performance reviews, using voice mail & e-mails, when you are not employed, & when you are self-employed. For professionals who work on their own, chapter 8 which addresses the last subject can be worth a fortune to you. I thought it was very well done. Then the book moves back into overviews (chapter 9 is on brag nags to keep you focused & chapter 10 has a self-confession by the author & 12 tooting tips).
If you've ever felt awkward in advancing your own views or interests in any of these situations, take a look at this book. You will probably find helpful ideas that you'll be comfortable following.
In the course of my business career, I've had occasion to meet many successful people. Almost alll of them follow the kind of gentle, discreet communications approaches described here. So I can testify that this approach must work for getting to the top!
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