Smart Work: The Syntax Guide for Mutual Understanding in the Workplace [Paperback]

Lisa J. Marshall (Author), Lucy D. Freedman (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 158 pages
• Publisher: Kendall Hunt Pub Co (April 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787204919
• ISBN-13: 978-0787204914
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,140,715 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for anyone working in an organization today., March 23, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Smart Work: The Syntax Guide for Mutual Understanding in the Workplace (Paperback)

What a valuable book! Reading Smart Work is a very smart investment of time for anyone who works in an organization today. It provides a clear guide to how individuals can learn to more quickly and easily create clear mutual understanding with their co-workers. For individual readers this can translate into greater effectiveness in their jobs, less stress, and more time to do the work they enjoy. For the organizations that employ them it can mean everything from shorter product development cycles, to superior products, to better customer support, and ultimately to higher sales. Although examples used in the book are drawn primarily from the work of technical professionals such as engineers, the lessons are universal. I can highly recommend Smart Work!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on Communication and Influence in the workplace, March 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Smart Work: The Syntax Guide for Mutual Understanding in the Workplace (Paperback)

One of the best books I've read on communications and influence in the workplace. I've recommended it to many colleagues. Learn how to ensure that you and others are working towards the same goal, reduce resistance, and help people moved past self-imposed limits. The book is clear and well-written, and I think it is especially helpful for technical professionals who would like to communicate better.

5.0 out of 5 stars Get it. Read it. Study it. Practice it. Learn it. Live it., February 21, 2002

By 

Dwayne Cox "business coach, entrepreneur, rea... (Windsor, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Smart Work: The Syntax Guide for Mutual Understanding in the Workplace (Paperback)

One of the main goals of this powerful book was/is to enable technical professionals (promoted into management positions)through the use of a well researched, pragmatic, highly effective and elegant communication model to systematically increase mutual understanding in the workplace.

It turns out, Lucy Freedman and Lisa Marshall have created an extremely comprehensive communication model which weaves together some of the best thought relating to communication modeling, applicable to *all* business relationships and all relationships for that matter.

The world of knowledge based work continues to change dramatically, and new skills, new capabilities, and new frames of reference are required to manage and lead. The authors reveal through the Syntax Model (Plan, Link, Balance, Inform, Learn) the underlying behavioral structure of people who are effective, and includes all of the ingredients included in the formula for dramatically successful interactions.

The focus is on effectiveness... I personally have enjoyed many workshops facilitated by Ms. Freedman, and can share with you that knowledge and practical application of the Syntax Model has transformed my life as well as my personal and business relationships.

I have had many wake up calls as a result of studying this book, including the realization that "the meaning of your communication is the response you get". This alone, for me, has been invaluable. Ms. Freedman gets into mental models, frameworks, patterns, perceptions, interpretations, listening, matching, leading, requests and agreements and many other areas in such a masterful way, I get a major rush of energy every time I read even a page of the book. This is a *powerful* book for anyone committed to excellence through mastering the art of communication.

If you are the kind of person who believes in "sharpening the saw", this could very well be the most powerful book in your library.

Imagine an entire team, group or organization sharing the same communication model. Imagine the possibilities you could achieve.

Do you believe the empirical evidence indicating that companies choosing to invest more dollars in employee development training enjoy higher revenue as a result? If so, I recommend you get a copy for every employee in your company. If not, I recommend you get a copy for every employee in your company.

This is the most valuable resource in my library of over 600 books, and I'm a corporate coach and trainer with an enviable library of related titles. My challenge to you regarding Smart Work? Get it. Read it. Study it. Practice it. Learn it. Live it.