How to Tell Anyone Anything: Breakthrough Techniques for Handling Difficult Conversations at Work

by Richard S. Gallagher

Book Overview

Whether with a boss, someone you manage, or another co-worker, providing feedback--especially critical feedback--requires top-notch communication skills. Learn how to share positive, constructive messages that have a greater impact

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0814410154
• ISBN13: 9780814410158
• Release Date: June 2009
• Publisher: Amacom
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.4" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Collaborative Communication

"Communication" is a tricky endeavor; at work, it's one of the most important tools for facilitating a successful collaboration between co-workers to achieve the company's desired objectives (aka "Mission Statement"). Unfortunately, "bad communication" is one of the biggest problems facing the majority of organizations throughout corporate America. Its toll is enormous - lost productivity & high turnover are the most glaring issues. Clearly, as Richard Gallagher suggests, most of us are lousy communicators. It doesn't have to be this way, as Gallagher walks us through the process of developing good communication skills, with a smart technique called "CANDID" conversations. It's simple, and it's based on solid foundation of common sense; although not particularly "ground-breaking", but critical to attaining a "win-win" collaboration in practically any scenario. Since the art of communicating often hinges on getting others "bought in" to a desired course of action, another title for this book could well be "How to SELL Anyone Anything". Those difficult conversations won't be so tough now.

What and When to Say It

For me, How to Tell Anyone Anything is about the amazing productivity that can result from an environment and culture that both values and understands the dynamics of inter-personal communications. In our experience, how much more dedicated and engaged have we been when working for a boss we could have honest and open conversations? Or when in a team, where communications are prefaced on understanding and respect for what each brings to the table? The author's style is direct and conversational which not only brings the subject matter to life but aptly demonstrates how to go about having tough talks. Most interesting and applicable for me is the need to absorb the context in which difficult conversations germinate or take place and reframe the situation so the discussion is on substantive and tangible terms. In this time of e-mail, texting, and social media, we are losing a critical skill in business - the ability to converse face-to-face to find the mutual benefits in collaboration.

Much better than Difficult Conversations

How to Tell Anyone Anything is more applicable to work than Difficult Conversations. Examples are workplace situations instead of personal or family situations. The author also uses a more defined process. He teaches both sides of the conversation, giving and receiving, which makes it applicable to more real-life situations. The lessons learned can impact everything from how to have effective employee reviews internally, to managing issues with vendors and dealing with difficult clients. If practiced, the concepts will improve internal and external customer service - and cause a noticeable shift in corporate culture to one focused on a genuine concern for others.

From typical negative-ending communications patterns to more positive, effective strategies

HOW TO TELL ANYONE ANYTHING: BREAKTHROUGH TECHNIQUES FOR HANDLING DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS AT WORK uses the latest findings in psychology to provide a step-by-step application for the business world. From typical negative-ending communications patterns to more positive, effective strategies, this offers concrete, successful verbal techniques.