Official Review: The Smartest Person in the Room

Post by **Christabel Uzoamaka** » 17 Feb 2021, 15:41

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Smartest Person in the Room" by Christian Espinosa.]

3 out of 4 stars

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The Smartest Person in the Room by Christian Espinosa is targeted at people in the technology and cybersecurity industry, and I especially recommend this book to employers in the industry. But this book is not the regular technical textbook that teaches endless codes and computer programs. It teaches something even more valuable, a skill that is most important in our modern world: people skills. The author, Espinosa, has developed a training called Secure Methodology to help fight what he considers to be the root cause of cyber insecurity.

The author believes that the real reason for the wave of cyber insecurity that hits many companies and organizations is their employees’ lack of people skills. He claims that tech officials are usually blinded by their ego, their need to be the smartest person in the room, and lack of proper training. He claims that to defeat cyber thieves (the bad guys), cybersecurity officials need to be passionate about their job and possess emotional intelligence. He proposes seven steps in the Secure Methodology technique. These seven steps help to guide both employees and employers to communicate properly, have empathy, and pursue improvement, which will allow cybersecurity employees to win the war against cyber thieves that want to steal both clients’ data and money.

Even though the author wrote this book for people in ICT, I believe that anyone looking to improve their communication and empathy skills should read this book. At first, however, I wasn’t sure where the author’s ideas were headed. He explained the problems of the cybersecurity industry so much that it became repetitive, and I wondered when he was finally going to provide the solutions. The solutions he offers are viable and reasonable. However, his solutions are not at all technical and do not include any computer programs that cybersecurity officials need to learn to improve their knowledge in the field. He focuses almost entirely on people skills. So, any tech person hoping for computer programming lessons will be disappointed.

I appreciated that aside from being very understandable for even non-tech adults, the author gave detailed explanations. He explained every step in his Methodology properly, so there will be no doubt in the reader’s mind regarding what he means. At the end of every chapter, he also included exercises that readers can do to test their understanding. These exercises specifically target employees in an organization, but any reader who picks up this book can join in the fun! I especially had a eureka moment when the author explained the last step: “Kaizen.”

The author was crisp; his writing style was direct and conversational; I hardly found any errors, and the editing was almost perfect. While I learned a lot, the tone that the writer took shook me. It felt harsh and too direct, which was ironic because this book is about emotional intelligence. Also, the author took a lot of jabs at a former employee named Doug. He used Doug as an example of almost everything not to do. This seemed unnecessary and extreme at times. For smooth writing, life-changing insights, and detailed information, I award this book 3 out of 4. I removed a star because half of the book sounded repetitive, and the writer’s tone was too direct.

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The Smartest Person in the Room
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Yvonne Monique · Post by **Yvonne Monique** » 19 Feb 2021, 02:32

Poor Doug, I wouldn't like to be in his shoes. Maybe he's only a fictional character, made up to show the author's arguments? I enjoyed review, although this is not a book I will be reading.

Suzer6440 xyz · Post by **Suzer6440 xyz** » 19 Feb 2021, 10:32

I thank you for this review, it was thorough and well written. With that being said,I do t think it’s my kind of book

laseniola · Post by **laseniola** » 20 Feb 2021, 02:50

I read this book too. At first, I felt that "communication" is too basic to solve a cybersecurity problem. But, with the lucid examples presented by the author, and reflection into my life and the experiences of other people, I saw that communication is not only the solution to ICT problems but most of the other problems facing humans in today's world.

Naaya123 · Post by **Naaya123** » 06 Mar 2021, 11:32

Seems interesting enough for me to give it a try. Thanks you for this detailed review!

ObianujuJane · Post by **ObianujuJane** » 07 Mar 2021, 02:13

Being trying to understand what the book actually emphasised on, so I am really glad I stumbled upon this review. Thanks.

Ummusofia21 · Post by **Ummusofia21** » 18 Oct 2022, 13:06

I was wondering what the book was about but when I read the review,I don't think it quite encouraging because it my kind of book but am a learner not sure if I will understand it

Yash Chris · Post by **Yash Chris** » 07 Nov 2022, 03:06

The Smartest Person in the Room by Christian Espinosa. The book is very interesting and inspiring. It gives a great insight of cybersecurity problems and what may be the causes of cybersecurity problems. The author explained that most of the cybersecurity problems that companies and organization faces comes from their employees lack of people skills. I agree with the author believes after years of working within the IT department, technical staffs are stuck in their own ways, they are stuck with the knowledge they gain during their study. Also the author did state that it's the poor training of some companies and organization that is also causing cybersecurity problems. As the emphasized cybersecurity problems change daily, so, technical staffs need a proper training despite their knowledge degree.

The Smartest Person in the Room by Christian Espinosa was designed for people in the technology and cybersecurity industry. But, I would recommend this book to any person who have this desire of always need to know it all. The author emphasized that we don't have to always know it all.

Post by **Brad McLean** » 27 Nov 2022, 13:01

Great to have this review after reading the interview with the author. I might just give it a read.

Winnie Leung · Post by **Winnie Leung** » 07 Jan 2023, 08:31

I'm thinking about reading because I am interested in the techs sector by I seen it it's more about work relationships. I just might read to see what's all about. Will add to shelf!

Hamdia Abdulaziz · Post by **Hamdia Abdulaziz** » 08 Jan 2023, 16:43

The smartest person in the room, I like it, I love to read it again.

This message is for all companies Before you employee someone, You need to give them a one month training before they start the job.

BruceP · Post by **BruceP** » 18 Jan 2023, 03:59

I'm one of the people who appreciates technology. I think this book is suitable for people who are into technology and cyber security. Thanks for your review.

Post by **Donna Walker** » 18 Jan 2023, 15:49

I really enjoyed your review, having said that, I really do not think that this book would be for me. I'm not techy enough to understand most of it! Cybersecurity is something that I am concerned about, though.

Alfonso Tizon · Post by **Alfonso Tizon** » 19 Jan 2023, 16:34

I read this book .At first fictional character. And not sure if I will understand it. Regarding for some details of the cyber security

Aqeel Abbas 5 · Post by **Aqeel Abbas 5** » 30 Jan 2023, 23:41

The smart person in the room by christian Espynosa was designed for the people in the technology cybersecurity industry.But I think this book is suitable for people who are into technology and security.