Have your words been misconstrued by others or have you been unable to convey what’s on our minds in the right manner? Every once in a while, we all need a little help in putting our thoughts across in an articulate and precise way while not sounding assertive or offensive. If you, too, have struggled to get the tone and vocabulary right or worry about your voice getting lost in the crowd, here are some of the best books for communication skills that can help navigate those murky waters.
Self-help books to improve your communication skills aid in building confidence and suggest critical tips to take charge easily without sounding dominating. Whether you’re looking to whet interpersonal skills, nurture your relationships with friends, family and colleagues, or negotiate a raise, reading these communication books can help you understand the psyche of the listener and feel the pulse of the audience.
Does an effective communication skill help in everyday life?
In today’s highly competitive digital world, effective communication skills are imperative to make yourself heard, both in professional and personal relationships.
Being able to delegate tasks or have difficult conversations in critical situations requires you to communicate effectively. Similarly, in conflict resolution, building rapport, asking strategic questions or simply joining a new business, every aspect needs impeccable conversational skills that will enable you to leave a lasting impression.
For those who enjoy debating or whose work involves public speaking, it is quintessential to connect and speak clearly with no hesitation. The correct choice of words, framing and arrangement of thoughts, the right body language, eye contact and overall social skills, all play pivotal roles in bringing big success. Similarly, non-verbal communication, like gestures and body language, are equally significant players that can dramatically deepen your relationship.
These are some of the best books to improve communication skills
Jump To / Table of Contents
- Simply Said: Communicating Better at Work and Beyond
- Five Stars: The Communication Secrets to Get from Good to Great
- Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age
- The Definitive Book of Body Language
- Words That Work
- 21 Days of Effective Communication
- The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking
- Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone
- How to Talk to Your Boss About Race
- The Fine Art of Small Talk
- People Skills: How to Assert Yourself, Listen to Others, and Resolve Conflicts
- The Art of Public Speaking
Author: Jay Sullivan
Year of publication: 2016
Synopsis: A must-have handbook for business communication, it offers practical examples of real-life situations and how they can be bettered with proper communication. Based on stories from members of the executive communications (ExecComm) group of companies, it also connects social skills with plausible scenarios, helping you formulate thoughts in a way that they are easy to get across. The main idea propagated by the book is that to excel as a communicator in the workplace, one should turn their attention towards others. Secrets to effective verbal and written communication, tips for being a good listener, and ways to build your credibility and manage adeptly are other key takeaways from this book.
Image: Courtesy Amazon
Author: Carmine Gallo
Year of publication: 2018
Synopsis: The book explores various communication techniques and strategies employed by world-class performers and influential leaders to achieve greatness in their respective fields. With globalisation and artificial intelligence affecting nearly every aspect of business, it is not enough to have good ideas. They need to be marketed greatly as well. This is where the art of persuasion and effective communication comes into play. For this, Gallo advocates returning to Aristotle’s ancient art of persuasion, comprising ethos (credibility), logos (logic) and pathos (emotion). Insights from scholars, CEOs, billionaires, Navy SEALs, NASA astronauts and leaders at Google, Nike and Airbnb elucidate how communication skills help sell one’s ideas and take the person to higher positions.
Image: Courtesy CarmineGallo.com
Author: Sherry Turkle
Year of publication: 2018
Synopsis: Physical communication has always been the cornerstone of real lasting connections. However, in the modern world, digital communication, via texts, social media and emails, has only come in as an alternative. They might give a feeling that we are all connected from every corner of the world, but in reality, it has only limited our ability to build relationships and hold real conversations. This thought-provoking book explores how far technology has clawed into our social skills and suggests simple tools to remedy the situation and become a better communicator in real life.
Image: Courtesy Penguin Random House
Author: Allan and Barbara Pease
Year of publication: 1994
Synopsis: The book delves into the non-verbal aspect of effective communication skills and shows the importance of body language. Science has proven that one’s smallest gestures can reveal a lot about what’s on their mind. Yet, there lies a huge gap in understanding these cues. The book lays down easy guidelines to read through layers of emotions and attitudes that help in understanding one’s behaviour. For instance, modifying a handshake can express authority while the movements of the legs can tell a lot about what you are thinking. Read to know about the posture you should maintain and note cues while communicating with others.
Image: Courtesy Amazon
Words That Work
Author: Frank Luntz
Year of publication: 2006
Synopsis: The book comes with chapters like “The Ten Rules of Successful Communication” and “The 21 Words and Phrases for the 21st Century” which deal with the power of the correct usage of words and phrases to convey the right message. This is because, in the end, it is what people ultimately understand that matters more than what you say. Use this communication book to grow your social intelligence and become a negotiation genius by paying attention to your words.
About the book: The author of this New York Times bestseller has helped nearly 30 Fortune 500 companies grow with his immense knowledge of words.
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Author: Ian Tuhovsky
Year of publication: 2018
Synopsis: Aimed at improving interpersonal relationships and nurturing social skills, the book unleashes the secrets of effective communication to usher in impactful changes in your life. It also highlights how easy it is to get rid of bad communication habits, overcome inhibitions and build immediate connections. The book promises to achieve all this in just three weeks, the time believed to be needed to develop a habit.
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Author: Dale Carnegie
Year of publication: 1962
Synopsis: Created in the form of a step-by-step manual, this is one of the best communication books to hone your social and speaking skills. The book is divided into five broad segments, which boost confidence, gain convincing power and put your opinions across clearly. Practising these methods can enable one to become a better communicator and an impressive speaker who can connect with their listeners.
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Author: Mark Goulston
Year of publication: 2009
Synopsis: In the realm of effective communication skills, proper listening is as strong a pillar as speaking. In this book, psychiatrist, business consultant, coach and author Mark Goulston delves into this art and upholds technical strategies to connect with people and build your network. Readers will be surprised to see the marvels of focused listening — from connecting with a family member at an intimate level to navigating through a tough negotiating session and even making a lasting impression on a potential client. This guidebook comes in the form of a simple yet highly impactful manual.
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Author: Y-Vonne Hutchinson
Year of publication: 2022
Synopsis: Just acknowledging racism in the workplace doesn’t help. Firm voices must be raised to address any incident and have crucial conversations with higher authorities. The basis of this is adept communication skills and keen observation power. The book trains employees, managers and companies to speak frankly, create a safe space and use power to turn thoughts into enforceable actions without offending anyone or getting aggressive unnecessarily.
Image: Courtesy Flipkart
The Fine Art of Small Talk
Author: Debra Fine
Year of publication: 1997
Synopsis: Nurture your communication skills to make small talk, create solid introductions, build business networks, land jobs, crack interviews and more. This book is guaranteed to sharpen your socialising abilities as it is a vital requisite in one’s personal life as well as in today’s era of public relations. The revised edition comes with practical advice and conversation cheat sheets to equip you with techniques to naturally strike up a conversation with a stranger without any hindrance.
Image: Courtesy DebraFine.com
Author: Robert Bolton
Year of publication: 1979
Synopsis: Bolton sheds light on the 12 most common communication barriers that he describes as “roadblocks” to healthy conversations. He mentions impactful means to improve your communication skills, listening ability, ways to assert yourself, resolve conflicts and work out problems with others. If you find yourself zoning out during a heated argument or getting worked up during an emotionally charged situation, this is the book for you. It provides practical advice and easy methods to remain calm and silent and deal with matters maturely, with both family and colleagues.
Image: Courtesy Amazon
The Art of Public Speaking
Author: Stephen E. Lucas
Year of publication: 2019
Synopsis: If you wish to whet your public speaking skills, the updated 13th version of this book is a must-read. Proven strategies and a sure-shot approach to the art of assertive public speaking make it a trusted college textbook on the subject. In tune with Connect, McGraw-Hill Education’s online programme, and customisable for seasoned instructors and movie takers alike, the book is a storehouse of timeless teachings and guidance to build confidence and master the art.
Image: Courtesy Flipkart
(Hero and feature image: Courtesy Amazon; Feature image: Courtesy Alexandra Fuller/ @alexandrajf/ Unsplash)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
-Can I improve my communication skills by reading books?
Some of the best books on communication lay down easy-to-follow technical guidelines and practical methods which can be applied in daily life. Following them regularly can help improve your communication skills and make you more assertive in a positive way, among other things.
-What are seven good communication skills?
The seven basic principles of effective communication are being correct, complete, concrete, concise, courteous, clear and having consideration.
-What are the five basic communication skills?
Sound written communication, oral communication, non-verbal or visual communication, active listening and proper contextual communication are the five basic communication skills that everyone should possess.
-How can I be a better communicator?
Besides being articulate and excellent speakers, good communicators have good listening skills. One should speak coherently and be confidently assertive with opinions without being overtly dominating. These, along with social skills and the ability to mingle with people, can go a long way in making someone a better communicator.
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Trinetra is an ardent foodie and bibliophile who writes about films, travel, food and lifestyle. As a writer and literature student, slam poetry and storytelling are her go to jam. When not working, Trinetra is busy looking for her next place to visit or binge-watching Instagram videos for travel inspiration.
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