The Revolutionary Communicator: Seven Principles Jesus Lived to Impact, Connect and Lead [Hardcover]

Jedd Medefind (Author), Erik Lokkesmoe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2004

The Revolutionary Communicator explores the revolutionary power and impact of Jesus’ approach to communication, presenting seven communication truths that remain relevant 2,000 years later. In a media-dominated era, all readers—from parents to pastors to politicians—are invited on a journey to rediscover the passageways to influence, impact and relate, and to learn how to integrate seven communication truths in their relationships and professions.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 165 pages
• Publisher: Relevant Books (July 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974694258
• ISBN-13: 978-0974694252
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #660,255 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stories, principles and great ideas, February 1, 2008

By 

Tom Carpenter "- www.sysedco.com" (Marysville, OH) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Revolutionary Communicator: Seven Principles Jesus Lived to Impact, Connect and Lead (Hardcover)

Very few Christian books have promoted the power and importance of story telling. They may suggest that Jesus used parables and we should too, but they usually fall short in actually teaching you how to do it. While The Revolutionary Communicator does not go into great depth, it does point out the often overlooked type of story - the one line story. This book points out the use of these stories by Christ. For example, chapter five points out, "Rather, He painted the jarring word picture of a man who has a beam poking out of his eye trying to pick a fleck of sawdust from the eye of another." The book calls these word pictures and they are very powerful.

I also liked the way the book starts each chapter by comparing common myths with true realities. I think there is actually some truth in some of the myths, but it's a great way to place the chapters in context. Also, the chapter summaries are excellent. You can read the whole book through, then spend one morning reading the begining comparisons and chapter summaries to really drive the points home.

In fact, I read the book a few months ago. I just took it out the other day and reread the summaries and it all came flooding back. Great book!

Blessings,
Tom Carpenter

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very compelling study on communication excellence, December 26, 2004

By 

Michael Erisman (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Revolutionary Communicator: Seven Principles Jesus Lived to Impact, Connect and Lead (Hardcover)

I am always looking for insights into best practices related to communications and improving relations. As such this book is outstanding, and discusses some tried and true communication techniques that all too often are underutilized. The authors are both adept communicators, one being a cabinet-level speechwriter, and the other a highly regarded communications director.

The book is well written, and very easy to read. One aspect I really enjoyed is the numerous "personal notes" written on many pages, which share some stories related to the texts. In this book one of the main insights is that "effective communication is a way of life". When considering the lack of "attentiveness" in the section titled "Can you hear me now" the authors depict the paradox of modern life due to technology, as we have not really become a "global village", rather modern people have largely become "global voyeurs" peering in through others windows with fascination, but rarely gazing eye to eye in shared interest, connectedness, and understanding (Page 2). In fact one of the stark realities of a modern leader is that "most people care little if you built grand towers, or steered a Fortune 500 corporation. They want to know one thing: Do you care about me?" (Page 9)

Another key issue in communication is the lack of connection. "We seek impact without involvement, like a busy executive sending an assistant to pick up their sick child from school. Real connection is never so safe or cost free" (Page 31). In many situations the key to effective communication is to ask a lot of questions (Chapter 3). Jesus was adept at asking questions which got right to the heart of the matter. In fact, "whenever enduring life change is the goal, there is simply no substitute for questions that are sincere, situation-specific, audience centered and decisively clarifying, and that allow your listeners to decide for themselves" (Page 62).

When discussing "authenticity" the authors describe four key decisions we each can make that communicate authenticity and build trust. These key steps include; The decision to prize truth-telling over image-making; The decision to build character rather than manage impressions; The decision to offer what you have, rather than what you wish you could give; The decision to break free from expectations, cliché, and pat answers when they distort reality." (Page 87)

There are several more chapters, each as in depth and deep as what has been described. One of the sections on "story-telling" provides a fitting backdrop to the numerous stories throughout the book. This book is well written and every page has nuggets of truth that resonates right to your heart. Highly recommended for everyone who desires stronger relationships and an improved ability to communicate and connect with others.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceeded Expectations, August 31, 2004

By 

M. Applegarth (Citrus Heights, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Revolutionary Communicator: Seven Principles Jesus Lived to Impact, Connect and Lead (Hardcover)

If you are thirsty for something more satisfying than the average "how to be a success" book, I am sure you will find The Revolutionary Communicator a refreshing departure from the norm.

Expecting to uncover another publication claiming simple steps toward self-improvement, I was delighted to find a wholly different premise in this text. Indeed, this book captures seven attributes from the life of Jesus, but doesn't hastily package them as simple steps. Through a variety of stories, history, and even anecdotes from the authors' lives the book makes clear that effective communcation is much more than technique.

While the book extrapolates lessons from the life of Jesus, one need not identify with a particular faith to enjoy the concepts it presents. Anyone desiring to be a better communicator, whether in personal or business relationships, should find the book accessible.

Stylistically, the text is well crafted and has a natural flow. The fluid language could relax you into "easy reading" mode as it did me at times. If you are serious about learning something from the text and not just adding to the number of books you have read, be careful not to read too fast.