"I Wish I'd Said That!": How to Talk Your Way Out of Trouble and Into Success [Paperback]

Linda McCallister (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 24, 1997

For anyone who's ever said, ``I wish I hadn't said that;'' or ``I wish I'd said what I was really thinking;'' this is for you. Based on the six styles of communication (noble, socratic, reflective, magistrate, candidate, senator), it shows you how to deal with difficult people who create stress and problems; how to influence your boss, colleagues and subordinates; and ultimately how to get the results you want. ``Talking scenarios'' reveal what it ``sounds'' like when people talk their way into or out of trouble. You'll also discover how to create the sound of success and deal with styles of people who communicate such as Woody Allen, Margaret Thatcher or Geraldo Rivera. Communication Style Profile Tests enable you to measure how effectively you communicate.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

For anyone who's ever said, ``I wish I hadn't said that;'' or ``I wish I'd said what I was really thinking;'' this is for you. Based on the six styles of communication (noble, socratic, reflective, magistrate, candidate, senator), it shows you how to deal with difficult people who create stress and problems; how to influence your boss, colleagues and subordinates; and ultimately how to get the results you want. ``Talking scenarios'' reveal what it ``sounds'' like when people talk their way into or out of trouble. You'll also discover how to create the sound of success and deal with styles of people who communicate such as Woody Allen, Margaret Thatcher or Geraldo Rivera. Communication Style Profile Tests enable you to measure how effectively you communicate.

About the Author

Linda McCallister is a motivational speaker who holds a PhD in organizational communication from Purdue University. She is currently Dean of the College of Business Administration at Christopher Newport University. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 313 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1st edition (March 24, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471176877
• ISBN-13: 978-0471176879
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,579,639 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book that lets me know the truth behind, June 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: "I Wish I'd Said That!": How to Talk Your Way Out of Trouble and Into Success (Paperback)

"I wish I'd read that earlier!" is the very first thing I want to say after I'd read through the whole book. This is an excellent book, not only because of the fact and the analyses brought out by the author, but also the way the author organizes and presents the reasons behind the odd behaviours of people of different kinds. This is not the first book I read on the topic about how to deal with people in a way to bring me success, but it IS the first book that makes me easily learn the way to see and understand people. By the materials written on this book, I was taught how to deal with people in order to make me the one who has the final control over the outcome of the event. I think it's a book that's desired to be read once, at least, even for those who think he/she can tackle the skill to deal with people very well. I truely suggest all of you to have a look.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting book..., May 18, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: "I Wish I'd Said That!": How to Talk Your Way Out of Trouble and Into Success (Paperback)

The ultimate rewards of reading McCallister's book will probably range depending on the position one is in. Those who interact in a more executive setting will likely find the numerous scenarios and clear, straightfoward advice more poingnant and maleable. However, the personality models (which are as amusing as they are insightful) and communication techniques can be internalized by just about anyone in any number of situations (even, as McCallister points out, in ones marriage). Perhaps the biggest strength of this book is that it avoids the (very annoying) mantra that 'communication is about liking yourself and being positive'. McCallister, a professional, knows how bent and ultimately manipulative many interpersonal relationships are, and as such the advice one gets here is real and hands on practical stuff. Its only major weakness is that the personality models McCallister uses (six in all) are pretty static, despite some attempt to keep them fluid (usually via a superficial reminder that 'life is more dynamic than this'). Still, a very good book. Useful and funny. I laughed, I cried, it was better than Cats....

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for those with a dynamic and diverse work group, October 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: "I Wish I'd Said That!": How to Talk Your Way Out of Trouble and Into Success (Paperback)

This book is a great way to get a brief and tactical understanding of communication in the work place. If you have difficulty getting your point across, want to be better prepared to present ideas in a team environment or are wondering why you can't seem to convince people that your direction is the right way then this will be a good book to read. You will understand where others are coming from and what they need to hear in order to give you the information and results you need. This book, when utilised will give you the results you are looking for. Much of the information can be used not only on the job but in your personal communication as well.