Messages: The Communication Skills Book

by Patrick Fanning, Martha Davis, Matthew McKay, et al.

Book Overview

Many people assume that good communicators possess an intrinsic talent for speaking and listening to others, a gift that can't be learned or improved. The reality is that communication skills are... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1572245921
• ISBN13: 9781572245921
• Release Date: March 2009
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications
• Length: 358 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Beneficial to Everyone

This is a well written book that should benefit everyone. The book explains the importance of effective communication skills for success in business (a large corporation, a small company, or even a home-based business) or in the home, with friends, in relationships and anywhere else. The author methodically explains the communication process including the message, the channel through which the message is conveyed, the receiver, feedback, the context of the communication and the barriers to effective communication and ways to overcome them. For example, the author highlights the fact that in verbal communication, an active dialogue is engaged with the use of words. At the same time, however, non-verbal communication takes place, relying on nonverbal cues, such as gestures, eye contact, facial expressions, even clothing and personal space and how they influence interpretation of messages, including how the message is delivered.. The need to be mindful of cultural differences in communicating was explained, for example when using or interpreting nonverbal cues. The need to pay close attention to your tone of voice, even your voice's overall loudness and its pitch was highlighted. The book also covers public speaking and how you can make better presentations, for example, by keeping the message clear and simple, being prepared, being vibrant and natural when delivering the message. Other very important and interesting subjects covered including the importance of being assertive, having good listening skills, and being an effective negotiator, among other topics. The author reinforces his message with exercises that you can use as a self-help tool to improve your communication skills. All-in-all, an excellent book that is highly recommended.

Very good book on communication

This book briefly discusses important aspects of communication; including proper listening and getting your message through without noises or communication blocks that hinder the communication process. Besides, it describes how to communicate with your mate, children and how to improve your assertiveness.The discussion is concise, but the important aspects are very well discussed. This a very valuable book that should be read by everybody who has any concern about achieving a better communication.

Communication Skills Everybody Should Have

The authors have created a very in depth but easy to read psycho analysis of poor communication skills and ways for individuals to help themselves change their attitude and methods of communicating with others.Listening is probably the most important skill of communication that most of people lack. Many do not even think of listening as communication. I was guilty of trying to ancticipate or guess what the other person was going to say, already working out my reactive answer and therefore not hearing the last half of the conversation. It takes a bit of self control and discipline to be able to really listen.People have a habit of not coming to the point for fear of being rejected or hurting the other persons feelings. The person giving the message learns how to take the sting out of the message by not blaming or accusing but still being direct. It is a different way of wording your sentences but I was amazed at the way this technique can defuse a tense situation.If you find that you are sometimes missunderstood or fear of the reaction from telling your boss, wife, girlfriend or work colleague what you really think, then I would highly recommend purchasing this book. It is a great book for everybody.

Simple but effective; good for all ages

This is a self-help book that cuts through all the big words and psychological concepts and gets immediately into helping you change. There is something for everybody here -- parents, teens, managers, and children. Their explanations of screwed up communication patterns are concise and their "solutions" are elegant. One of the few self-help books I have bothered to keep on my bookshelve. Worth every penny.

In todays dysfunctional world it is a must

This book is amazing. I felt like they should be paying royalties because they had stolen my life. Every poor communication skill I had was in there. The funny thing was that I didn't realize they were bad until this book explained it. It is as simple as someone turning on a light.It is so basic you can start improving your communication skills immediately. It has done wonders for my girlfriend and I. Without much work at all we have been able to communicate so much more effectively and it has truly allowed our relationship to blossom. Where before would fight and totally misunderstand each other, now we know how to talk with each other and avoid all the big communication downfalls. It is neat to see these good communication habits replace very destrucive patterns. They also reinforce themselves every time you practice them. After a while they become second nature and you become amused at how you are using these effective skills so easily. I know what everyone is getting for Christmas this year.