Books to Help You Communicate Effectively
We could all use some help communicating now and again, right? For some of us, sharing our needs, standing up for ourselves, and owning our voices is a difficult task. If that sounds like you, you’re in luck. Whether you’re looking to improve your relationships — with friends, coworkers, or even family members — learn better public speaking skills, or negotiate a raise, we’ve got the tools for you. In this article, we’ll outline the best communication books by some of the most trusted experts to help you say what you need to, be heard, and discover your voice.
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Add to BookshelfGetting to Yes
by Roger Fisher, William L. Ury and Bruce Patton
Negotiations — whether personal or professional — can be a daunting task. And there’s a reason why. Without the proper skills or techniques, we can easily cave to the demands and desires of the opposing party. Striking the balance between compromise and defeat can be quite tricky‚ until now. In Getting to Yes, Roger Fisher, William Ury, and Bruce Patton — cofounders of the Harvard Negotiation Project — provide a step-by-step guide to reaching mutually acceptable agreements in every sort of conflict. The perfect book for nailing a true “win-win” negotiation, this work is accessible, empowering, and will help any reader develop lifelong negotiation skills.
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$18.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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The Charisma Myth
by Olivia Fox Cabane
Have you ever met someone so compelling and charismatic, that you can’t help but think they’re born that way? Whether you’ve met someone like this in your personal life — or admire celebrities on television — it seems that so many people have an “it” quality that looks almost innate within them. Olivia Fox Cabane, an executive coach to the leadership of Fortune 500 companies, however, begs to differ. In her book, The Charisma Myth, Olivia unpacks exactly what makes up this “it” quality so many of us are drawn to. Moreover, she explains that anyone — yes, even you — can learn to be charismatic and magnetic, too. With just a few simple communication tips and tools, anyone can develop a magnetic “it” factor.
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$18.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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Reclaiming Conversation
by Sherry Turkle
Technology can make us feel connected — texts, emails, and social media “likes” often trick us into believing that we’re building, and maintaining relationships. But in truth, our incessant messaging has only served to replace conversation, the cornerstone of all real, lasting connections. Deeply moving and insightful, Reclaiming Conversation uncovers the limitations of our devices and the threat these tools pose to our ability to develop real relationships with others and ourselves. An eye-opening deep-dive into loneliness, paired with hundreds of captivating interviews, Sherry Turkle’s book reminds us of what’s at stake when we text instead of converse face-to-face — and how it’s never too late to start a conversation.
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$19.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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Changing the Conversation
by Dana Caspersen
Despite how hard many of us try, conflict is unavoidable. Whether a disagreement with a loved one or an argument at work, conflict is everywhere, and a natural part of life. Conflict specialist Dana Caspersen knows that better than anyone. As an expert in the field, she’s spent years trying to understand the nuances of conflict and how to navigate even the most difficult conversations with ease. Packed with examples and salient advice for finding long-term solutions, Changing the Conversation reimagines our understanding of disagreements and changes our perspective on conflict entirely. In her book, she encourages readers to imagine conflict as an opportunity for growth — not something to be feared.
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$22.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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Negotiation Genius
by Deepak Malhotra and Max Bazerman
Max H. Bazerman and Deepak Malhotra — two leaders in executive education at Harvard Business School — know a thing or two about negotiations. Written for anyone interested in learning more about how to negotiate successfully, Negotiation Genius is the go-to book on developing tactics and strategies for long-term success, no matter what kind of negotiation you find yourself in. Drawing on decades of behavioral research, Negotiation Genius provides readers with an all-in-one manual for surviving, and thriving in a heated negotiation — from identifying hardball tactics and learning how to negotiate from a place of weakness to knowing when to walk away— this book is essential for anyone wanting to succeed in their next negotiation.
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$20.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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Tell Me Who You Are
by Winona Guo and Priya Vulchi
Most of the books on this list provide step-by-step guidance for negotiating and navigating conflicts. Tell Me Who You Are introduces another perspective to the conversation focusing on true, meaningful communication — particularly when it comes to understanding one another’s unique stories. Written by Winona Guo and Priya Vulchi, Tell Me Who You Are invites readers on an eye-opening journey across America, in search of true, authentic connection. With photographs, touching personal stories, and captivating historical context, Guo and Vulchi cross the nation in search of understanding how telling our stories and listening to the stories of others can change the world.
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$20.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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Set Boundaries, Find Peace
by Nedra Glover Tawwab
Do you often feel unheard in your relationships? Or feel that your needs aren’t being met? Or that you’re exhausted by taking care of the people around you — but don’t know how to take care of yourself? If that sounds like you, you might need some boundaries. New York Times bestselling author Nedra Glover Tawwab is here to set you free — by helping you express your needs, and overcome depression, anxiety, and even burnout through boundary setting. Packed with scripts, prompts for reflection, and more, Set Boundaries, Find Peace is perfect for anyone looking to reclaim themselves through the power of communicating boundaries.
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$27.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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Drama Free
by Nedra Glover Tawwab
Another stellar communication book by Tawwab, Drama Free focuses squarely on family relationships — and the unhealthy behaviors and cycles that often dominate generations. Though unhealthy behaviors within a family can take many forms, one of Tawwab’s tried-and-true tools for finding peace is to use clear communication skills, no matter the problem. Just like her first New York Times bestseller, Drama Free is perfect for anyone looking to have a difficult conversation with a family member, pave a new way for the next generation, or heal from deep-seated wounds.
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$28.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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Good Arguments
by Bo Seo
Bo Seo is a two-time world champion debater and a former coach of the Australian national debating team and the Harvard College Debating Union — a record made even more impressive because Seo didn’t learn English until he was almost ten years old. At 8 years old, Bo and his family migrated from Korea to Australia. Moving to a new country, he struggled in school — until he discovered debate. Good Arguments is a digestible deep-dive into the art of debate and its necessity for a thriving democracy. This book is an incredible read for anyone looking to improve their communication skills — in and out of a debate room.
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$18.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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How to Talk to Your Boss About Race
by Y-Vonne Hutchinson
Racism in the workplace is pervasive. From micro-aggressions to more overt acts of prejudice and discrimination, so many of us struggle to create true anti-racist progress in our work environments or advocate for ourselves or others. Y-Vonne Hutchinson, the CEO and founder of ReadySet — one of the country’s leading diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting firms — has dedicated her career to understanding race at work. How to Talk to Your Boss About Race is the culmination of her years of effort, detailing strategies on how anyone can have more effective conversations about racial bias and prejudice at work — and finally have their voices heard.
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$25.00Buy from Other Retailers:
