At Ease...Professionally: An Etiquette Guide for the Business Arena Book

While the motivational message is very helpful and definitely worth reading and considering, the story that it's wrapped up in is pretty badly written. The situations are unnaturally stilted and the dialogue scripted and redundant, like one is watching a skit being performed at a sales retreat. None of the characters are given enough background to forge any real connection with the reader. Sharma might have done better just writing this as a straight non-fiction advice book, although I suspect the result would have been a bit too short for his publisher's liking.

One problem I saw with the advice portion of the book was that no dissenting viewpoints are ever presented. Doubts disappear the moment the listener learns about 'the message'. Setbacks, conflicts, obligations and all the other things that real people have to deal with are hand-waved away. Sharma clearly believes in his message, but perhaps he believes it so absolutely that he can't fathom anyone not being captivated by it as well. The result is that when the reader does bring up an objection, there is nothing in response.

That said, I would recommend this book, as I found its message to be applicable to my work and helpful to the personal and professional situation I'm currently in. But I would also recommend highlighting the passages of advice, skimming the story, and giving everything a critical evaluation.