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Whatever your walk in life, may you be a student, an employee, or a manager, communication is used by all of us on a normal daily basis. People are social creatures, we communicate to explain and express our thoughts, emotions, and desires to other people. In communicating, we also form relationships, get people to hear our ideas, and form understandings. Building interpersonal skills are vital in our everyday life to thrive in society.
Begin with our top pick: How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes. This book gives general tips and techniques that help you communicate. Starting from the first impression you make with people to carrying a conversation and how to be memorable, this book will guide you on the basics of communicating and build the foundation of your interpersonal skills. For more choices, check out the rest of our list, and scroll down to read our buying guide reviewed by a licensed professional counselor.
Omolola Taiwo is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Katy, Texas who provides psychotherapy services to young adults, adults, and couples. She specializes in wellness-oriented and trauma-informed care, with an integrative approach of cognitive-behavioral interventions, dialectical behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and wellness consulting.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
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Table of Contents
There are many facets of improving one's communication skills. Books may give general advice or focus on specific areas, and each one has a different approach. Here's a guide to help you know what to consider when choosing a book to help you improve your interpersonal communication skills.
There are many reasons to want to learn communication skills. It's best to determine what these are in order to help you narrow down your choices. Whether you want to improve your small talk or need help with overcoming social anxiety, there are books that can help you out!
This type of book talks about relationship management, meaning how you relate to others, empathize with people’s needs, and how to listen and respond to what they tell you.
From a professional work environment to casual conversations with colleagues or peers, these books focus on the idea that relationships are a two-way street and help you on your end of the interactions. Such books are great for people who have jobs that require them to constantly interact with people.
Knowing when your social and interpersonal functioning need improvement is when communication skills books can assist. Interpersonal functioning is defined by your close family relationships, whereby social functioning defines the relationships outside of the home and in the community, and in professionalism. In communication skills books, you'll learn the beginning skills to transform your relationships professionally.
If you are looking to assert yourself without putting people off, some books will teach you how to communicate your ideas properly. These books teach you how to talk in a way that will make people pay attention to you.
They give you tips on negotiation and confidence in delivering your ideas. They talk about body language, attitude, and word choices.
These books help readers build their self-confidence in preparing for an interview. Including notes on eye contact, the initial handshake, and body language, these books will instruct readers on how to behave and project their best selves in interviews.
These books also give sample questions and teach you how to phrase your answers properly to give a good impression.
A big hurdle to communicating effectively is fear and anxiety. Some books deal with this and give great advice on how to handle anxiety during social interactions. They offer tips and practices that help you steady your nerves and focus on what you have to say.
These kinds of books are good for people who are trying to overcome their fear or nervousness relating to communication and social situations.
There are four types of interpersonal communication: verbal, non-verbal, written, and listening. All four are important when building relations and getting your message across. Think about which aspect or aspects you would like to improve upon.
Oral skills depend on word choice as well as delivery. The tone of voice is very important in communicating because if it does not match what you are saying, it will be a hindrance to effective communication.
Writing is another form of interpersonal interaction. For example, emails and messages are often an integral part of the workplace.
Knowing what to write and what phrasing to use in your messages is important in order to be an effective communicator. Included in this skill is how to manage the tone of your messages with the proper word choice and punctuation.
An important part of communication is listening. Being attentive and knowing how to respond to the other party by showing that you have listened and understood their point can be immensely beneficial to you as a communicator.
Books that focus on this topic also help you read any room and will coach you depending on whom you are speaking with. They can teach you to analyze conversations and how to give the proper response.
Non-verbal cues include body language like eye contact, hand gestures, and facial expressions. What most people don't know is that non-verbal cues are very infectious to the people around them. Most of the time, when speaking to someone, they pay attention mostly to your eyes and your hand gestures.
There are many books that can teach you about these non-verbal cues. Whether you're looking for a breakdown of the science behind it or a practical how-to guide, there's a book that can help you become a better communicator.
In the workplace, you may be a leader or a follower. Some books cater to either of the roles because both of them have different perspectives and require different skillsets of communication.
Being a leader means that you have to command authority without being too overbearing, and at the same time being understanding. Working under a leader, on the other hand, requires you to collaborate with your colleagues more and engage in compromises.
If you find yourself in a managerial position or a team leader, some books can help you communicate with your employees or your team members. They guide you on how to show authority and how to be heard when giving instructions. They also teach you how to communicate to become a respected leader.
If you are an employee or perhaps a team member in your workplace, it's best to look for a book that deals with building relations. Getting along with your colleagues is an important aspect of the workplace, especially if you are all working on the same project and have to pitch ideas.
Books that cater to these will also help you improve your self-confidence and your attitude towards different kinds of people.
When interacting with colleagues in a professional setting, being mindful of your communication style can be helpful. Learning to keep objectivity is solution-focused and allows you to solve challenges effectively. Being relatable is helpful to build community within your workplace. Lastly, considering your level of self-respect is helpful in how you show up in spaces that are conflictual or challenging.
Not everyone is one hundred percent an extrovert or an introvert. Most people are somewhere in the middle. These are for people who need extra tips when they know that they either lean towards being more of an introvert or being more of an extrovert.
Introverts are naturally more reserved and introspective. Books that advise introverts help them become more expressive with their thoughts and to be more assertive.
These books also help introverts not be so overwhelmed with interaction and how to communicate effectively.
Extroverts are naturally more outgoing and sociable. Books that advise extroverts are on how to manage their sociability and their interaction skills. They help extroverts phrase their ideas and give tips on body language and attitude.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Leil Lowndes How to Talk to Anyone | $10.47 Low Mid | A General Guide to Communication Skills | ||
2 | Dale Carnegie How to Win Friends & Influence People | $10.60 Low Mid | Practical Interpersonal Skills You Can Use in Your Daily Life | ||
3 | Dr. Frank Luntz Words That Work | $12.99 Low Mid | Advice on How to Choose Your Words Wisely | ||
4 | Keith Ferrazzi & Tahl Raz Never Eat Alone | $15.29 Mid | An Eye-Opening Book on the Importance of Building Relationships | ||
5 | Jessica Higgins, JD, MBA, BB 10 Skills for Effective Business Communication | $12.59 Low Mid | How to Enhance Communication Skills in the Business World | ||
6 | Chris Voss & Tahl Raz Never Split the Difference | $17.99 High Mid | A Former FBI Negotiator's Guide on The Art of Negotiation | ||
7 | Jay Sullivan Simply Said | $18.79 High | A Handbook on Applying Interpersonal Skills in the Workplace | ||
8 | Mortimer J. Adler How to Speak How to Listen | $16.99 High Mid | A Guide on How to Listen Effectively | ||
9 | Barbara Pease & Allan Pease The Definitive Book of Body Language | $15.64 Mid | How to Read and Use Non-Verbal Communication to Your Advantage | ||
10 | Liz Fosslien & Mollie West Duffy No Hard Feelings | $15.29 Mid | How Managing Emotions Can Lead to Effective Communication |
This book offers a guide on communication skills in all aspects of life. From the workplace to social relationships, the author gives tips on how to be successful in making an impression and how to be charismatic.
Readers praised this book for calling their attention to the little things they had not realized are important in communicating. They also loved the conversational tips and the stories that accompany each lesson so it's easier to see how the lessons can be applied.
However, some reviewers stated that some of the tips are mostly common sense. Others also stated that it is more about impressing people than actually connecting with them. Still, readers agreed that the lessons in the book actually work well in real life.
This book is a timeless bestseller that offers tips on the essentials of communication. It teaches you how to be heard and listened to and how to communicate in a way that can influence others to change their ideas and opinions and win them over to your side.
Reviewers appreciated that the advice in this book is still applicable despite its age. Many had their perceptions change immensely, saying their social skills improved thanks to the life lessons in this book.
A few readers found some of the advice a bit outdated, seeing as the book is now pretty old. The book was also criticized for encouraging manipulation, although most people see it as being friendly and agreeable.
This book focuses on the strategic way we can use words. It guides readers on using the proper terms to better express ourselves. It also shows readers the importance of how our choice of words can affect and influence the people around us.
Readers love how the author gives tips on how to communicate with the right words in both writing and speaking. They liked that the book is easy to read and understand. They appreciated the practical lessons, too.
However, some readers found that the book becomes too political at certain points. Others mentioned that it's a bit repetitive. Still, most readers agree that it's a great refresher on the power of words.
The main focus of this book is on how to make connections. It discusses how to build lasting relationships and how these are vital to one's success. It also gives advice on how to do this in the modern age by using social media to create your network.
Reviewers loved the authors' take on networking and how to create authentic relationships. They appreciated the advice and how the book gave them a new perspective on what networking really means.
However, reviewers found that this book caters more to a male perspective. Others found that the book also contradicts its own advice in certain parts. Despite this, many said that this is a great book on building relationships in the digital age.
This is centered on all things business communication, like advising on how to behave in job interviews as well as negotiation tactics. This book coaches readers on how to use communication to their advantage in their business careers.
Reviewers loved the easy reading format of the book. They liked how the author uses simple words instead of complex jargon. They appreciated the suggestions and the extra resources that the book offers, enhancing their learning.
This book received great reviews because of its simplicity and advice to readers. This book was also commended for its vast range of topics on business communication and how its lessons come in handy in the workplace.
Written by a former member of the FBI and a professional negotiator, this book gives nine principles for readers to learn regarding tactics and negotiation, which can be applied in daily life. This book also talks about emotional intelligence and how it plays a part in negotiating.
Readers loved how effective the lessons in this book are. It enlightened them about the role of emotion and empathy in communication and negotiation. Some readers found that the book is repetitive. However, many agreed that the lessons in this book are effective and worthwhile.
This book talks about your relation to others when it comes to communication. It emphasizes that communication is about the people you are speaking with rather than yourself. It also includes lessons on writing and is especially helpful for business communication.
Reviewers loved that the book tackles a lot of aspects of communication and various situations that demand speaking in front of an audience. They also love the additional tips and mantras that help readers improve themselves as communicators.
Some readers noted that since the book touches on so many topics, it doesn't delve deep into any of them. However, many readers found the simple advice in the book very helpful in improving their communication skills.
This book covers communication in speech, like how to perform in front of an audience, hold a lecture, and more. It also offers advice on effective listening, which will make you a good communicator.
Readers love this book for being well-rounded as it tackles verbal, writing, and listening skills. Especially helpful is the section on listening, as many readers said the book taught them about the importance of understanding the other party.
However, reviewers noted that the book lacks focus and some lessons get repetitive. Others also said that it serves better as a companion book to the author's previous work. Still, most readers agree that the author's approach to communication is worth exploring.
This book focuses on non-verbal communication and the subconscious messages of people's body language. It gives tips on how to read other people's gestures and facial expressions as well as giving the reader advice on how to use their own body language for effective communication.
Readers admired the techniques the book teaches its readers. They found the lessons to be eye-opening and made them pay more attention to people's expressions and gestures. They also found that learning to read body language is vital in understanding interactions.
However, some readers noted that this book may be too basic for those who have already read up on body language. Still, many reviewers agree that this book is great for beginners because it's filled with easy lessons accompanied by pictures and illustrations.
This book is about managing your emotions and how to keep them in control in a professional environment. It teaches how to talk about your emotions without oversharing, which may in turn improve your work relations.
Readers loved that the book includes comics and humor to explain its concepts. They also loved that the book is well organized and the chapters are easy to read. The book does not drag, they said, but it keeps each point concise.
However, a few reviewers pointed out that this book only touches the surface of the issues it discusses. It lacks depth, leaving some readers dissatisfied. But, many agreed that the book tackles an important topic regarding workplace communication and is great for people who are new to a workplace.
In addition to reviewing and commenting on our buying guide, Omolola also took the time to answer a commonly asked question about communication skills.
Omolola explains, "Communication skills can be correlated to the quality of relationships that are important to you. Communication skills are used to improve interpersonal effectiveness.
The effectiveness of your communication ensures that you are keeping objectivity, being relatable, and respecting yourself. If there are needs and wants left unfulfilled, it may be best to explore your communication style, and clarify whether your skills support that style."
There are books and apps available that can help you with your productivity and help you gain new insights and skills for your everyday life. Check out our other recommendations to find the right tool for you!
No. 1: Leil Lowndes|How to Talk to Anyone
No. 2: Dale Carnegie|How to Win Friends & Influence People
No. 3: Dr. Frank Luntz|Words That Work
No. 4: Keith Ferrazzi & Tahl Raz|Never Eat Alone
No. 5: Jessica Higgins, JD, MBA, BB|10 Skills for Effective Business Communication
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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