NETWORKING KILLS, SUCCESS THROUGH SERVING – Mark H. Maxwell

THE WHOLE TRUTH ABOUT COLLECTING CONNECTIONS

Mark Maxwell never thought of becoming a college professor, but when that day arrived, with a strong career in the music industry, he did not hesitate to make an impact on his students.
Surprising the whole class, he cared little for rules and “rights,” beginning the first class praying for each of his students. It is from his experience teaching young adults, that Maxwell, worried about the loss of creative processes among the youngest, realized the concrete reality and the need to share it in a book.
We all know how the focus has shifted in high school and college. Those responsible for educational programs are increasingly likely to want to prepare their students for the (ultra) competitive education rather than fostering the development of critical and creative capacities.
Faced with the overwhelming predominance of Twitter, Facebook and others, the author asks whether the explosion of social media in the last ten years has made it less and less propitious for creative geniuses to find space to emerge and grow.
Mark Maxwell proposes and urges his students to create purpose through service to others and to the community, to the detriment of the unbridled pursuit of futile and self-seeking connections, the norm in modern social and professional relationships.
The so-called networking repels and divides, while serving attracts and is attractive, and Maxwell advocates that one ought to serve unselfishly, caring without obligation and in a true and dignifying way, for only then can he walk a genuine path of success that will endure.
In this personal biography, Mark Maxwell tells of striking episodes of his life, from his youthful days, in which undesirable dependencies and behaviors dominated him, to the surprising accounts of how God’s dependence led him to the most important decisions and led him to success in the record industry and as a lawyer. He says he is unable to make good, safe decisions, especially when they involve major changes in his family’s life, without depending on the prayer and advice of close friends, especially his pastor.
Mark states that when we determine our career or our future based on our personal capacities, dreams and tastes, we lose what God has outlined for us, limit the dreams He has for us to serve others, and cut off the destiny He has prepared for those who are under our care and influence. And he emphasizes, “A successful life is about God’s dream for others through us. It’s serving. “
Through his testimony, Maxwell shows us the effectiveness of keeping a regular time with God, getting away from his environment, disconnecting himself, talking personally to God and, above all, listening to Him. Receive guidance and tasks. He uses the words Viktor Frankl so well put forth in his classic Man’s Search of Meaning, “The purpose is not to find yourself, but to lose yourself.” So what is your task?
After experiencing the pressure that life caused to his father, in a cocktail of alcoholism, mental illness and unemployment, the author went through a dark period of negative spiral many years later, while already practicing law, with labor and financial problems, that led him to question God about whether we are capable of bearing the emotional weight of this kind of burden. You will then have found the answer in Hebrew, where “galal” means true rest, which begins when you let go of that kind of guilt.
Mark Maxwell’s career is a living exercise of how much God can transform us if we trust in Him, and by serving Him. God taught him to respond to troublesome conflicts by serving with genuine compassion and interest, praying for family and friends, and especially for clients, following the motto “Be faithful where you are.”

Originaly Published at:
Biblion Online Magazine (EN): https://www.biblion.pt/networking-kills-success-through-serving-mark-h-maxwell/
Biblion #12 Digital Edition (April2019): https://www.biblion.pt/biblion-12-digital-edition

The title is a quick read with timely and informative details. The book was not what I thought when requested but the delight was mine.

I suck at networking, in fact I really have to rebuild my network after working from home for 2 years, so thought this book would be a great read, intentionally a handbook for how to get back out there and into networking.
Marks' book has a lot of Christian values in it and also is more inspirational stories on how being in service to people to build lasting network versus the exchange contact info and reach out when I need you mentality of other books.

3.5 Stars
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I have worked for many, many years in small business. I teach and train small business owners as well as owning my own. I’m a strong believer in networking and also in serving others. I have worked for many years with nonprofits and I think I have a serving heart.

I understand how giving to others can make a full circle back to you. At least, I thought I did, until I picked up this book.

This book is an interesting concept. It’s a collection of stories and the history of the author, showing how giving to others made a huge change In his life and business.

It’s the story of trusting in God‘s word and following His directions in your life. Blind trust and devotion to supporting others. Reaching out and making a difference for someone else, even in uncomfortable circumstances.

I loved the concept of this book. However, I really felt it could have flowed a little easier. Sometimes I was lost in the point he was trying to make in that particular chapter. It felt choppy and time jumped back and forth.

Overall, I got the point loud and clear and believe that this is a book that a business person of faith needs to read. Maxwell's points are definitely something I need to work on and incorporate into my daily routine. I need to become more in tune with where I should be working and developing my business along with helping others.