Information technology is powerful but sometimes the best productivity enhancement for IT is simply better communication between human beings. There’s a plethora of literature on business, self-development and leadership. However, it can be difficult to find the right author to communicate with you. Here’s a list of seven business communication books to leverage communication (and the information in IT) for productivity in the workplace.
How to Win Friends and Influence People
No list of business communication books would be complete without a nod to Dale Carnegie’s famous “How to Win Friends and Influence People”. Originally a course and seminar, the notes and excerpts were published as a book for the first time in 1936 to great success. Punctuated with vivid anecdotes and era relative psychology, Carnegie emphasized empathy and understanding as hallmarks of great friendship, communication and leadership. Here’s a summary of the book or get it here.
Crucial Conversations
Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan and Al Switzler came together to write the book “Crucial Conversations – Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High”. From job interviews and salary negotiations to close personal friendships and marriages, crucial conversations have a huge effect on our lives. Instead of avoiding or fearing them, the authors guide each reader with advice, anecdotes, and statistics to illustrate practical communication methods and ways to have healthy dialogue, even in the most stressful of situations.
Never Eat Alone
“Never Eat Alone” was written by Keith Ferrazzi about networking and communication skills for everyday life. In every aspect of business and personal life, a strong network can be a powerful support network in times of need and growth. Ferrazzi, unexpectedly, also talks about the power of generosity one is capable of when having a large network. Recommending a physician to a sick friend or connecting your golf instructor with one of your neighbours may have life changing results for all parties involved. “Never Eat Alone” stresses the importance of a great network, as well as practical advice for growing your own.
Love Works
“Love Works: Seven Timeless Principles for Effective Leaders” was written by Joel Manby, current CEO of SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, during his time as CEO of the family owned Herschend Family Entertainment company, which operates amusement parks in the Midwest. Manby, after his brief spotlight in the show Undercover Boss, published “Love Works” to share his communication and leadership philosophies that helped create a positive company culture.
Leaders Eat Last
“Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Other’s Don’t” examines the successful methods, strategies, and communication styles of top performing executive teams, military leaders, and organized groups from a scientific and psychological perspective. Simon Sinek, a self-labelled optimist, is the author of this book and the current best seller, “Start With Why”. He walks the reader through basic neuropsychology and gradually moves into social psychology and sociology, showing the effective forms of leadership communication and how they’ve proven to be effective.
Talk Like Ted
Not thrilled by public speaking? You’re not alone. “Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds” was written by Carmen Galio after analyzing over 500 TED Talks on a wide variety of subjects. Galio shares strategic thinking and tactical expressions that are common to all human communication throughout the world. He highlights the differences and similarities between public speaking, including personal communication. If you have ever wanted to read the penultimate business communication book on public speaking, this may be the one for you.
Why Motivating People Doesn’t Work
Susan Fowler, leadership research and consultant, wrote “Why Motivating People Doesn’t Work . . . and What Does: The New Science of Leading, Energizing, and Engaging” after coaching and studying dozens of executive teams and leadership throughout the world. By building on the latest scientific research, she thoroughly analyzes the trends in leadership, management, and teaching over the last century before illustrating why these concepts no longer work. Fowler places a strong emphasis on empathy and intrinsic motivation, the only type that will have employees exceed expectations regularly for the good of your company (even when you’re not around).
Do you have a favourite that didn’t make the list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments! Want to work with us? Contact us
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