Communication is a skill that many people fail to cultivate. A lack of it leaves you unable to properly express yourself, understand others, and engage in different social interactions. Thankfully, there’s a lot of advice about how to communicate effectively.
There are a lot of books about communication in the market. They teach you confidence, how to limit misunderstandings and communicate efficiently. But there’s tons of them in the market and it’s easy to be overwhelmed.
Best Books About Communication
Here are some of the most popular books about communication to help you develop your understanding of body language, listening and negotiation skills, positive self-talk, and other skills that contribute to your becoming a better communicator.
1. Just Listen by Mark Goulston M.D.
Getting through to someone isn’t just art, but a crucial life skill. And a lot of being a good communicator is knowing how to navigate the many barricades your message will encounter.
Here, psychiatrist and coach Mark Goulston will teach you how to listen effectively, use empathy to bridge gaps, make a powerful and positive impression, and shift an angry, aggressive person to a more receptive mindset.
2. Unleash the Power of Storytelling by Rob Biesenbach
Whether it’s nailing a job interview, delivering a speech, or winning over somebody, knowing how to tell a story can be the difference between success or failure. However, powerful as it may be, storytelling takes skill and practice.
Here, Biesenbach cuts through the fat and guides you on the science behind storytelling, how to craft effective narratives, and how to use them to positively influence people.
3. Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson
A lot of people make the mistake that there’s only one “businesslike” way to communicate. The reality is that some businessmen prefer a formal vibe while others are more easygoing.
Here, Erikson breaks down communicators into four types and explains how each one performs in the business world. He also tells you how communication doesn’t need to be complicated, and teaches you how to quickly assess a person’s type and adjust the way you communicate.
4. Talk Like TED by Carmine Gallo
In this book, public speaking coach Carmine Gallo breaks down hundreds of TED talks and interviews many of TED’s popular presenters in search of what makes them excellent communicators.
And from that analysis, he offers you a step-by-step method for giving a presentation with confidence and purpose. Because with just a little guidance, everyone—no matter their fear of public speaking—can deliver a persuasive and engaging presentation.
5. Simply Said by Jay Sullivan
Everyone communicates, but some do it better than others. From presentations to simple conversations, communication affects every interaction of your day-to-day life.
Here, Sullivan strips communication to its bare basics and shows you how to optimize conversations. He explores the best practices for both written and oral communication, whether it’s structuring words, incorporating body language, or giving and responding to feedback.
6. Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz
Author Keith Ferrazzi believes that fostering mutually beneficial relationships helps propel everyone toward success. Not the desperate connections made through “networking” but genuine friendships based on generosity.
In this book, Ferrazzi lays down the specific steps and strategies he uses to expand his circle of relationships. Also sprinkled throughout the book are anecdotes that illustrate how these steps—and the mindset behind them—can change a person’s life.
7. Words That Work by Dr. Frank Luntz
The words you use can change the course of business, politics, and every other aspect of your life. With his experience and knowledge of helping more than two dozen Fortune 500 companies grow, Dr. Luntz offers you a behind-the-scenes on why choosing the right words is essential to effective communication.
8. We Need to Talk by Celeste Headlee
Today’s emphasis on the digital world has eroded our communication skills. And the only way to recover is to talk with one another.
Here, Headlee talks about the things that have made her a better conversationalist. She also offers you tools you can use in becoming a better communicator and having conversations that matter.
9. Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler
It takes courage to be direct and truthful, especially in a society where unsolicited truth is unwelcome. This mindset has made it difficult to have certain conversations that, while extremely difficult, are also necessary.
Crucial Conversations prepares you for these challenging but essential talks at work or at home. Within are tips and strategies that prepare you for high-stakes situations, help you transform anger into dialogue, and be a persuasive communicator.
10. Thanks for the Feedback by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen
We are constantly beset by feedback, whether it’s from family, friends, bosses, colleagues, and more. The problem is that, while we recognize the necessity and advantages of feedback, we dread it, dismiss it, or even get angered by it.
In this book, the authors show you feedback is both wanted and unwanted. They also offer you a powerful framework on how to deal with it with curiosity rather than dread, and grace rather than anger.
Be A Skilled Communicator
The problem with communication is that people rarely realize that they’re not able to properly convey what they mean. They’re under the illusion of having communicated but their message never actually got through.
And that’s when miscommunication comes in. Nothing is accomplished because two or more people are acting on different messages that likely interfere with one another. Failing to find a solution just leads to more confusion.
There are plenty of reasons why you fail at communication—the complexity of the message, the effectiveness of the medium, and the varied constraints put on a person’s time, attention, and efforts.
However, learning to be a skilled communicator benefits every aspect of your life. Knowing how to de-escalate, be persuasive, speak clearly, and other communication skills can ease your interactions with other people, simplify different processes, and ultimately get you ahead in life.
What book about communication do you plan on reading? Share it in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- How to Communicate Effectively: 9 Tips for Clearer Exchanges and Fewer Misunderstandings
- How to Be Assertive: 9 Tips for More Confident Communication
- 79: Improve Your Communication and Relationships with Neurolinguistic Programming – Tony Wrighton
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
