How to Communicate: The Ultimate Guide to Improving Your Personal and Professional Relationships [Hardcover]

Martha Davis (Author), Patrick Fanning (Author), Matthew McKay (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1997

Both authors are PhDs in Psychology. Practically every advice written in this book is backed up by some empiracal evidence or study. The book covers all aspects of communication such as listening, body language, and influencing others using operant conditioning. One should note that this book focuses improving relationships through better communication. Hence, this book is not suitable for situations where antagonistic and competitive communication styles are warranted. For example, I thought the chapter on negotiation was poor due to the fact that the book promotes a "nice guy who will listen" approach to negotiation. Such approach to negotiation with no competitive strategic objective will spell disaster against a well seasoned negotiation sharks in a professional environment. Overall, the book offers solid scientifically based advice on personal communication. Just don't rely too much on it in a setting where competition, not cooperation, can be the norm.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Mjf Books (July 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567310311
• ISBN-13: 978-1567310313
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #632,964 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Credible advice on improving personal communication, October 16, 2004

By 

Jaewoo Kim "OB-Wan" (Santa Monica, CA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Communicate: The Ultimate Guide to Improving Your Personal and Professional Relationships (Hardcover)

Both authors are PhDs in Psychology. Practically every advice written in this book is backed up by some empiracal evidence or study. The book covers all aspects of communication such as listening, body language, and influencing others using operant conditioning.

One should note that this book focuses improving relationships through better communication. Hence, this book is not suitable for situations where antagonistic and competitive communication styles are warranted. For example, I thought the chapter on negotiation was poor due to the fact that the book promotes a "nice guy who will listen" approach to negotiation. Such approach to negotiation with no competitive strategic objective will spell disaster against a well seasoned negotiation sharks in a professional environment.

Overall, the book offers solid scientifically based advice on personal communication. Just don't rely too much on it in a setting where competition, not cooperation, can be the norm.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get the facts about interpersonal relationships, August 23, 2006

By 

T. Yuin (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Communicate: The Ultimate Guide to Improving Your Personal and Professional Relationships (Hardcover)

This book is excellent; the way a book on communication should be. This book is miles ahead of most other books in this field. These authors go straight to the point and do not waste your time with meaningless anecdotes and inspirational fluff. Nor does this book waste your time with nonsense advice which is solely based on some author's misguided notions. All the advice is grounded in empirical evidence and is explained clearly and concisely.

Would strongly recommend to anyone looking to truly improve on their not just their communication skills but also on interpersonal relationships as well. 10/10.

3.0 out of 5 stars Communication, September 13, 2010

By 

AGIZZ - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How to Communicate: The Ultimate Guide to Improving Your Personal and Professional Relationships (Hardcover)

This book has some great information involving techniques for better communication. I enjoyed the read, but felt it could have been a lot better. All and all I received some great information and it has helped me a great deal in the relationships I have with friends and family alike.