Books to read for better communication skills

 

The Fine Art of Small Talk: How To Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills — and Leave a Positive Impression! By Debra Fine

The Fine Art of Small Talk offers a crash course in having casual conversations. The book breaks down ways to start, maintain, and end conversations, with an emphasis on ways to keep the talk lively and engaging. Debra Fine advises making meaningful connections and leaving positive impressions by practicing and improving conversational skills. The end of the book covers how to leverage small talk in specific situations such as networking events or holiday parties. The guide has many practical applications in the workplace, including bonding with coworkers and establishing a rapport with clients. While many communication books focus on navigating high-stakes discussions, The Fine Art of Small Talk shows that less-formal chats can be just as impactful.

Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds by Carmine Gallo

Talk Like TED is one of the best books about public speaking. Carmine Gallo analyzes hundreds of TED talks to determine what qualities make speeches and speakers most memorable. The book lays out nine best practices that lead to compelling presentations, such as appealing to multiple senses, educating the audience, delivering delightful surprises, and being brief. Talk Like TED is a written workshop in the art of storytelling that can help professionals elevate presentations.

Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication by Oren Jay Sofer

Say What You Mean is the ultimate guide for having mindful and meaningful conversations. Oren Jay Sofer explores the unconscious habits and patterns that many talkers fall into and shows readers how to break away from autopilot discussions and speak with intention. This guide emphasizes how to maintain focus, avoid ambiguity, and reduce anxiety when having discussions. The text shows how to be blunt yet compassionate and proves that conversational clarity does not have to come at the sake of humanity.

Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don’t Know by Malcolm Gladwell

Talking to Strangers is an exploration of the conclusions we make about strangers, and the ways these judgments influence our interactions. The book is a fascinating case study of assumption and interpersonal conflict. In Malcolm Gladwell’s typical style, the book presents a series of case studies from contemporary history and explores the underlying psychology and elements that underscore a series of events. The book shows how the initial ideas we form about strangers can enable the other party’s actions and guide our own behavior. Reading the other person is a large part of communication, and Gladwell exposes just how often we misread conversation partners, and the results that can come as a result of these misunderstandings. Talking to Strangers is a helpful aid for overcoming bias and attempting more honest communication.