Whatever your profession, you also need to be a professional communicator. ETC is pleased to share these essential Bits & Pieces to help you polish those skills.
As frequent site visitors realize, this ‘BookShelf’ section regularly lists books I’ve found useful and interesting. Two months ago, I included a comprehensive list of the general business-related titles I had mentioned over time.
Looks like that idea was a hit as several readers asked for more. My pleasure to help. The list below includes all the workplace communication-related titles I’ve mentioned in the last three years:
‘A Whole New Mind – Why Right-Brainers Will Rule The Future’, Daniel H. Pink, 2008; Brilliance Audio, MI. The first book by the brilliant author of ‘Drive’ and ‘To Sell Is Human’. I read the book several years ago, but had to experience his work again, this time in the car.
(A reader recently commented that her written style and verbal style are often different. My reply … )
Lots of people feel that way and communicate accordingly. However, that doesn’t need to be the case in the contemporary and more casual business culture many of us work in. If you view workplace writing as ‘people talking to people on paper’, then you value and use a more conversational style.
Several readers commented on how much they enjoyed the ‘Energizers’ from my workshops that I posted last month. So, here’s another one – my favorite. It’s been around for decades, but few people I encounter remember it or how it works. Enjoy!
More words of wisdom on communication. * ‘The most important thing in communication is to her what isn’t being said.’ – Peter Drucker, Ph.D, (1909 – 2005), world-famous management consultant, educator & author. * ‘’Behind the need to communicate is the need to share. Behind the need to share is the need to be understood.’ … Read more
‘To Sell Is Human – the surprising truth about moving others’, Daniel H. Pink, 2012; Penguin Audio, NY. Another excellent book by the author of ‘Drive’ and ‘A Whole New Mind’ well worth the read … or listen.
I recently responded to a reader who asked for suggestions for fun, simple energizers to use in training classes or staff meetings. Since I teach a lot of workplace writing workshops, I use fun word games after break or at the top of a session to start on time. Have fun with these: Think of … Read more
The 100 Best Business Books of All Time – What They Say, Why They Matter and How They Can Help You’, Jack Covert & Todd Sattersten, 2009, The Penguin Group, New York, NY
‘Built to Last – successful habits of visionary companies’, Jim Collins & Jerry Porras, 1994, Recorded Books, LLC, 2001
Recently, a website visitor asked ‘Why do you recommend against using a laser pointer?’ There are three issues about laser pointers that erode your image of competency or credibility:
‘A vocabulary of truth and simplicity will be of service throughout life.’ Winston Churchill ‘I hate quotations! Tell me what you know.’ Ralph Waldo Emerson ‘The obvious is that which is never seen until someone expresses it simply.’ Kahlil Gibran, Lebanese artist, poet and author of ‘The Prophet’ in 1923