The Art of Talking So That People Will Listen: Getting Through to Family, Friends & Business Associates

This book had very useful points that I used immediately and saw results from. Can be used across board in all relationships.

This book is an excellent all around communication book written for the person just entering the business world, the seasoned professional, parents, or simply anyone that would like to become a better communicator. It's fairly large font size and smaller book format make it very easy to read.

The book covers literally everything from the very basics of communication to effective listening and even includes a section on communicating with children! I was impressed with many of the real life examples given in througout the book that most of us can relate to. The type of examples used made it very easy to relate the topic of discussion to my own personal life and apply the concepts with confidence.

I have noticed a difference in the reactions of people I am trying to communicate with when applying the techniques spelled out in the book. If this book was required reading in High Schools I believe we see much improved parent-child relationships and a more effective new work force due to improved communication.

I expected cliches. Instead, this book gives wonderfully useful advice on how to communicate with people. I found it wise, profound, easy-to-read, and packed with practical steps to improve listening. I have taught a listening course for years. Paul Swets' book taught me about many techniques that I did not already know. It also taught me how to listen much better than I had been doing--although I was already a trained mediator. More than that, it taught me a lot about how to be a better human. I recommend it strongly to anyone who teaches communication, or who simply wants to communicate better. Enjoy!

"The Art of Talking so That People Will Listen" offers great insight and practical tips and language skills to use in building and strengthening your relationships. I have used this in course content I develop and it is always received very well. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to sharpen their verbal and written communication skills.

The art of talking so that people will listen help you (1) establish goals to improve (2) understand and improve in communicating (3) provide strategy for persuasive communication.

Having read other similar books, I'd say this one was very helpful. This book would probably be of little value to experienced communicators, because it covers basics. Which is good for beginners, it is short. You really must practice what you learn from the book in order to improve, not just read it. To help you better understand what's in the book, here are some topics.

1) Eliminate negative commutation habits
2) Learn the art of listening
3) Discover how communication works
4) Win peoples attention
5) Develop the courage to say no
6) Establish respect when talking to kids
7) Create closeness with people you care about
8) Dissolve discord
9) Persuade people to cooperate with you

The most helpful chapter for me was on perusing people to cooperate with you. He rightly stated that most people resist change unless they can see its resulting benefit. So he provided five steps for achieving cooperation. (1)Attention, (2)Comprehension, (3)Belief, (4)Retention, (5)Action. I enjoyed reading his explanation and suggestions for each step. I believe they are right on target.

He tells us to set goals to our communication so that our speech won't be left to habit or impulse of the moment, he then proceeds to tell you how and why. Because he says that people pick up clues not only from voice, but from our actions, our facial expressions, and tone of voice.

Another really good and helpful chapter was on listening. If we don't know how to listen, our communications will suffer. And so here too he talks about five level of listening.

Bottom Line: If you are interested in improving your communication, this is a very good book to start with. I was not disappointed with this book, but its not all that great to receive 5 stars. One reason is because there are some good information missing in this book.