The importance of effective communication cannot be overstated. When we grow and move forward in our lives, we meet new people, make new connections, and build relationships with people from different borders and cultures. Irrespective of their status, human beings are social creatures and like to meet new people. However, making new friends and creating an impression is far easier said than done. It is thus the art of communication that helps us make relations with new people. It is an essential skill to have in your personal life, your business, and the job. Building good communication skills will assist you in progressing in your profession and realising your full potential in the future.
For many of us, communication is critical, regardless of our career or interest. Irrespective of your line of work, whether in the medical science or fashion industry, a job in sales or consulting, good communication is a must in your professional life. But not everyone is an expert when it comes to making the best out of any conversation. But effective communication is such a straightforward and easy-to-learn ability that anyone can master it. One of the most proven ways to improve communication skills, especially for students, is expert-recommended books. Many writers have penned down books that are helping millions of individuals become good conversationist. Today we have shared some of the best books to invest in to learn how to improve your communication skills.
- How to Win Friends and Influence People
This timeless classic penned down by Dale Carnegie was released way back in 1936 and is more than relevant even after 90 years when it first came out. It goes on to show the importance of effective communication among people. As the title suggests, this book is about making, or in the author’s words, win friends. Dale Carnegie has suggested communicating in a manner that you understand the perspective of others as well. The book has sold over 30 million copies as of now, and rightfully so. It is an excellent resource to utilize and get started if you’re new to effective communication. It will teach you the foundations and allow you to expand your knowledge from there. It will teach you Six Ways to Make People like You, Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking, and How to Change People Without Arousing Resentment.
- Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time
Keith Ferrazzi’s relationship-building book emphasised the value of creating connections and getting benefits out of mutually created relations. The author creatively lays down the importance of building new relationships and finding new opportunities through effective communication. Moreover, the author tells you what to do, but page by page, he guides you on making a meaningful connection with new people. There are various helpful hints for building relationships, and powerful examples of how doing so may transform one’s life. In this book itself, Keith Ferrazzi has shared the connection strategies used by renowned celebrities like Katherine Graham, Bill Clinton, and Dalai Lama. This book is a must-read for anyone who has a small circle of friends and wants to expand his connections.
- Words That Work: It’s Not What You Say, It’s What People Hear
It’s Not What You Say, and It’s What People Hear. The complete title of this book presents an essential insight into communication barriers. Therefore, Dr. Frank Luntz, the essential to choosing your words and phrases while communicating with anyone tactically. Your message should be clear to improve your communication skills, keeping in mind the person listening to you. The author brilliantly explains that people do hear what you say, but only through their perspectives. Many a time in the modern world, the root cause of misunderstandings is the misinterpretation of messages. In this book, Dr. Frank Luntz has included chapters that include rules of successful communication, word and phrases for the 21st century and offered an expert’s opinion on the power of words. The book is a must-read for everyone who values communication and whose profession depends on it.
- How to Speak, How to Listen
This book follows the living classic “How to Read a Book” by Mortimer J. Adler. Much like the previous book, where he points out the importance of Reading, How to Speak, How to Listen talks about the significance of listening and speaking for effective communication. This book is a delightful read, as you learn how to communicate better. In this book, he has explained how merely talking, or listening need not necessarily constitute effective communication. Moreover, Adler shared instances from his experiences and seminars and how he communicated to his audiences. He outlines the fundamental principles of communicating through speech, including parts on specific presentations such as sales talks, lectures, and question-and-answer sessions. The books also share tips on effective listening and learning through conversation.
- Words That Change Minds: The 14 Patterns for Mastering the Language of Influence
In this book, author Shelle Rose Charvet has referred to many pieces of research that show how the words that we use while communicating are going to affect the listeners. Miscommunications will only lead to misunderstandings, which will further lead to a “Communication Wall”. The author explains this term “communication wall” as a state when your ideas will not reach your audience because there is a wall in between that is blocking your words. In this book, Shelle has mentioned 14 criteria that cover the key issues to communicate with anyone. The research study in this book digs deep into how to communicate. Brief and step to step instructions will help you choose words that can overcome this communication wall. This book is suggested to those who rely on communication in their professional workspace.
Conclusion
Thus, these are the top recommendations for improving communication skills—filled with lessons like what constitutes a successful conversation, how to choose the right words, when is the right time to agree or disagree with someone. These books include some real-life situations with excellent tips to drive a conversation. Make reading these books a habit and see your communication skills over time.
Author Bio: Abhyank Srinet is a passionate digital entrepreneur who holds a Masters in Management degree from ESCP Europe. He started his first company while he was still studying at ESCP and managed to scale it up by 400% in just 2 years. Being a B-School Alumni, he recognized the need for a one-stop solution for B-School to get in touch with schools and get their application queries resolved. This prompted him to create MiM-Essay, a one-of-a-kind portal with cutting edge profile evaluation and school selection algorithms, along with several avenues to stay informed about the latest B-School Updates.