The Art of Connecting: How to Overcome Differences, Build Rapport, and Communicate Effectively with Anyone [Hardcover]

Claire Raines (Author), Lara Ewing (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 12, 2006

"In an increasingly diverse workplace, it's more important and challenging than ever to communicate well. We must build bridges that cross our differences to connect our similarities. The Art of Connecting reveals five core principles and presents corresponding, specific strategies for overcoming communications barriers and connecting effectively with anyone, regardless of professional, generational, ethnic, cultural, or other differences. The authors also explain how the most skillful connectors are able to shift perspectives -- to see a situation from three points of view: "me," "you," and "them." All of the principles and strategies are brought to life through absorbing examples and scenarios, plus engaging descriptions of "masters of connection" -- like famed National Public Radio interviewer Terry Gross -- doing what they do. There is always a bridge. The Art of Connecting shows how to find it -- every time."

Editorial Reviews

Review

“…a quick-read treasure-trove of useful skills and practical advice….organized into digestible chunks of charts and lists, and lots of stories make the ideas come alive.”

-Gulfshore Business Magazine

“…a quick-read treasure-trove of useful skills and practical advice….organized into digestible chunks of charts and lists.. the ideas come alive.”

-Gulfshore Business Magazine

“…an excellent book.”

-Denver Business Journal

Book Description

"In an increasingly diverse workplace, it’s more important and challenging than ever to communicate well. We must build bridges that cross our differences to connect our similarities. The Art of Connecting reveals five core principles and presents corresponding, specific strategies for overcoming communications barriers and connecting effectively with anyone, regardless of professional, generational, ethnic, cultural, or other differences.

The authors also explain how the most skillful connectors are able to shift perspectives -- to see a situation from three points of view: “me,” “you,” and “them.” All of the principles and strategies are brought to life through absorbing examples and scenarios, plus engaging descriptions of “masters of connection” -- like famed National Public Radio interviewer Terry Gross -- doing what they do.

There is always a bridge. The Art of Connecting shows how to find it -- every time."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 17 and up
  
• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM (May 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814408729
• ISBN-13: 978-0814408728
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #328,723 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars universally valuable, June 15, 2006

By 

William Regan (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Art of Connecting: How to Overcome Differences, Build Rapport, and Communicate Effectively with Anyone (Hardcover)

I have been a professional communicator for over 20 years and I was sincerely impressed by the practical usefulness of this book. I strongly recommend it to any one who manages a company or sees the value of influencing, motivating or simply connecting with others. Because I see our workplace and culture becoming less homogenized, it is increasingly important that we gain the skills outlined in this book regardless of whether we are interacting with customers, co-workers or those who are in different socio-economic positions both in the work environment and in the world at large. Ewing and Raines have done a wonderful job and this book would be a valuable addition to anyone's personal library.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Insightful Twist on the Golden Rule, May 23, 2006

By 

Dale Blocher (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Art of Connecting: How to Overcome Differences, Build Rapport, and Communicate Effectively with Anyone (Hardcover)

Very helpful. The Art of Connecting has several nuggets that you can take and apply immediately, built around what the authors call the "Titanium Rule" -- "do unto others according to their druthers." It's a powerful concept, yet a real challenge; how to know how others want to be treated, especially people from very different backgrounds?

The focus of the book is how to "tune in" to these "druthers"; the subtle clues that we often just let float by unrecognized and don't build upon. There are chapters on connecting one-on-one, taking other points of view, and working in diverse groups. Once the concepts are out of the way, the authors provide lots of examples and case studies to build on the learning.

Bottom line...these concepts have helped me connect better through greater awareness of cues I had been missing. It's easy to put into practice and start to see benefits, if you're willing to invest a bit of effort. I don't think you can go wrong with this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clear instructions for establishing rapport in a diverse business climate, October 31, 2006

By 

Rolf Dobelli "getAbstract" (Switzerland) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Art of Connecting: How to Overcome Differences, Build Rapport, and Communicate Effectively with Anyone (Hardcover)

After studying people who have a great ability to connect with others, authors Claire Raines and Lara Ewing analyzed what you need to do to become a "people person." They present easy-to-follow guidelines. The most crucial tip is that you can find a point of similarity with anyone, no matter how different he or she seems from you, if you believe you can make a connection. First, learn to listen carefully and, then, once you uncover that similarity, you can build on it to communicate. Raines and Ewing fill their book with anecdotes from actual experience, and lots of ideas for fostering communication and overcoming differences. We recommend this manual to managers of diverse groups and others who want to learn to resolve conflicts.