Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"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.

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....

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.

This is a great book and explains alot about how other individuals at work communicate and my style of communication. I have found it easier to make a point with my boss and I hope that it will help me professionally to communicate better.

This is a great book to help you understand your communication style, the style of others, and how to use your strengths to better communicate to others in the way they will understand.

It is more than theory. It's useful information with great ideas on how to better communicate.

I highly recommend it.

I first read Linda McCallister's "I wish I'd said that!" in the early 90s and found it extremely informative and helpful with understanding communication. I liked how she divided the communication styles into six major styles and provided practical advice and real strategies for using communication in various situations.

Her classifications of the six communication styles of Noble, Socratic, Reflective, Magistrate, Candidate, and Senator stayed with me and often helped me explain communicative differences, even though at times my reflecting on the styles and recognition of how the difference in styles effective the communication process occurred a bit too late. Even then, understanding my communication blunders helped improve future communications.

When I ran the Center for Leadership Development at the University of Montana, I taught a number of workshops. Some of these workshops focused on communication, and I found myself re-reading McCallister's book to assist me with my teaching.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in some practical explanations of communication. I'm sure you will recognize your communication style as well as that of others you know. And if you pay attention, and apply some of the lessons and strategies McCallister lays out in this book, you just might find that you are achieve more through your communications and improve your relationships with those you interact with.

If you are like me, you'll still make blunders and go away saying, "I wish I'd said that!" but upon reflection you'll understand your mistakes and be able to at least minimize them if not eliminate them from your communications. Read this book and learn how to talk to people the way they want and need to be spoken to and you'll find people respond more positively and you'll get more of the results you desire.

Reviewed by Alain Burrese, J.D., author of Hard-Won Wisdom From The School of Hard Knocks.