QuickRead - Book Summaries
QuickRead AS
FREE - In Google Play
Communication Skills
Anybody can talk, but communication is an art form. Learn why-- and bulk up your communication skills-- by checking out these books!
Sort By:
alphabetically
most recent
most popular
Peter Meyers, Shann Nix
Learn how to make your point and have it stick.
No matter how confident you may be, the thought of public speaking can cripple even the most powerful members of society. For many of us, the mere thought of speaking to a group of people can elicit anxiety as we think about our worst fears coming true. What if I forget what I’m going to say? What if I look stupid? What if I fail? These fears keep many of us from speaking up, either on stage or at a weekly meeting. Whether we are giving an important presentation to thousands of people or having a one-on-one conversation, the way we communicate and convey information determines our success or failure. In this guide by communication experts Peter Meyers and Shann Nix, you can learn a comprehensive approach for tackling the underlying obstacles that almost all of us experience when faced with public speaking. You’ll learn to master the three building blocks of their approach: Content, Delivery, and State. So whether you’re communicating in crisis or simply facing a difficult conversation with a colleague or friend, Meyers and Nix will teach you how to communicate effectively and help you discover your authentic voice, allowing you to convey your ideas in the most powerful and memorable way possible.
11 minutes
Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler
How to have a successful conversation when tensions are high.
At first glance, you might assume that this book is for high-powered CEOs or people who are often in a position to negotiate high-stakes trade deals. But the reality is that this book is for everybody. In fact, the high-stakes conversations you have with your friends or family can be even more important than the tense discussions you have in the boardroom. Crucial Conversations (2001) was written for anyone who talks to people often, whether that’s in a personal or professional capacity.
13 minutes
Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, Sheila Heen
Learn how to approach difficult conversations and discuss what matters most.
Difficult conversations are a part of everyday life. Each day we either attempt or avoid such conversations, whether it’s confronting an underperforming employee or simply disagreeing with a spouse. Unfortunately, these tough conversations are inevitable so perhaps it’s time to learn how to have one productively. Thankfully, authors Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen have put together tips and tricks to help you become better at communicating. As you read, you’ll learn about the common mistakes people make when having difficult conversations as well as how to arm yourself with the tools you need to prevent them. In the end, you’ll learn how to communicate effectively and have difficult conversations without hurting anyone in the process. Keep reading to learn how every discussion has Three Conversations and how you can approach and improve each one for more meaningful, purposeful conversations.
11 minutes
Judy Robinett
Learn about the power of the 5 + 50 + 100 rule.
Written for anyone who wants to learn top networking hacks, boost their careers, or achieve their career goals, How to Be a Power Connector (2014) lays bare the secrets of the 5 + 50 + 100 rule and serves as your handbook for actionable networking practices.
8 minutes
Tim David
Learn the secrets of communication to influence, inspire, and motivate those around you to get the results you want in both your personal and professional life.
Parents, managers, teachers, and CEOs all have one thing in common: they struggle to motivate those around them. How many times do you have to argue with your teenage son to clean his room? Or how many times do you struggle to get your employees to meet their deadlines? These are common struggles that everyone experiences, so how can you change the behavior of those around you and get them to do what you want? By simply communicating with them! In fact, there are seven magic words that Tim David has discovered that will persuade and motivate others to get things done. Throughout Magic Words, you’ll learn how to combat common excuses like “I don’t know” or “I want to help you, but I can’t.” You’ll also learn the importance of learning someone’s name and why people named Cathy prefer to drink Coke over Pepsi.
12 minutes
Daniel Shapiro
Learn How to Resolve Your Most Emotionally Charged Conflicts
Conflicts in relationships are a part of human nature. Everyone is a unique individual with different opinions, values, and morals. It’s no surprise that conflicts arise in friendships, romantic relationships, and even in international relations. When you struggle with conflict in relationships, you may find just how difficult it is to get past them. No matter how hard you try to see another view or explain your own perspective, it’s difficult to come to a mutual understanding. So how can you resolve these emotionally charged differences? Harvard negotiation expert Daniel Shapiro has created a groundbreaking method to bridge the toughest divides. He introduces that the root of each problem is identity. The hidden power of identity fuels conflict, whether it’s with family members, colleagues, or even with world politics. As you read, you’ll learn how to identify the root of conflicts, how the Tribes Effect causes problems in relationships, and you'll learn the necessary steps to begin mending relationships today.
17 minutes
Sherry Turkle
The art of talking to each other in the age of Instant Messaging.
Written for anyone who’s ever felt that the advent of social media has negatively impacted our communication skills, Reclaiming Conversation (2015) is a critical examination of communication in the digital age. Considering such issues as message overload and ghosting, Sherry Turkle examines the evolution of new communication practices and how we can adapt to function in an ever-changing world.
13 minutes
Daniel Goleman
Branding itself as a new form of science which can be applied to the study of human behavior, Social Intelligence examines the differences between the type of intelligence which can be measured by an IQ test and that which enables us to understand and relate to the emotions of others.
Social Intelligence is a critical study of the emotional intelligence which enriches our lives but is unable to be measured by more traditional forms like an IQ test. Unpacking both the neurological logistics and practical application of social intelligence in our daily lives, this study examines the positive impact of developing our ability to read social cues and understand ourselves in relation to others. Arguing that social intelligence is every bit as vital as intellectual prowess (if not more so), Social Intelligence explores the impact of kindness, thoughtfulness, and self-awareness on our social, psychological, and physical welfare.
10 minutes
Chris Anderson
Public speaking top tips from the founder of the TED Talks.
We love TED Talks for their original ideas and engaging delivery. We watch them because they draw us in and make us want to listen. But as a general rule, when we give our own public speeches, they don’t sound that way. TED Talks (2016) is a curated guide full of public speaking top tips that will help you deliver an engaging speech of your own (and make your audience want to listen!)
15 minutes
Kelly Corrigan
The perfect book for learning why saying phrases like I don’t know and tell me more is important for turning the wheels of life and coping with the stresses of everyday life.
Through a series of candid and hilarious personal essays, Kelly Corrigan discusses the hardest phrases she’s learned to say through her life as a wife, mother, daughter, and friend. Amid her grief after losing her father and her best friend, Kelly details the hardest things she’s learned to say to help her find comfort during trying times. Raising two teenage girls, becoming diagnosed with cancer, and losing her father to cancer, Kelly has been through times that have tested both her patience and her sanity. But despite these times, she has learned from them and more importantly has learned what to say. With phrases like I don’t know and it’s like this, Kelly tells stories from her life as she examines essential phrases that help turn the wheel of life.
13 minutes
- ← Prev
- 0
- Next →