Best products from r/communication
We found 28 comments on r/communication discussing the most recommended products. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 15 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the top 20.
2. How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships
- How to Talk to Anyone
- 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships
- English
- First Edition
- Paperback
Features:
3. Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition
- McGraw-Hill
Features:
4. If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?: My Adventures in the Art and Science of Relating and Communicating
- RANDOM HOUSE
Features:
6. Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life
- Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life
Features:
8. How To Win Friends and Influence People
- Psychology, How To Win Friends and Influence People..Psychology..Dale Carnegie.Copyright 1936.Copyright renewed 1964 by Donna Dale.Revised edition copyright 1981 by Donna Carnegie and Dorothy Cornegie.. Manufactured in the United States of America 10... ISBN:9781439167342...Manufactured in the United States of America 10.How to win friends
- Dale Carnegie, Designed by level C
- Simon & Schuster hard cover edition November 2009
Features:
9. Communication Theories: Perspectives, Processes, and Contexts
Used Book in Good Condition
11. Theorizing Communication: Readings Across Traditions
Used Book in Good Condition
Here is something I typed up previously. The book I am writing will talk about most of this stuff. I'll be posting some articles I'm writing about communication here soon. For now, my old post. I endorse these books:
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So this is a bit of an area of expertise for me. I'm actually a writing a book about communication and it is kind of a skills book, but not as you might traditionally think of one. I can tell you more if you like, but don't want to bore you.
Here's the thing with skills books when it comes to communication...most are ok, some are even good, but most are essentially the same...they put together some combination of "do these things" and "do not do these other things" and market you a book that ultimately isn't going to help you a whole lot...at least not to communicate better in the aggregate. (How to Win Friends and Influence People is an example of this.) I call these any "Do these 10 things to communicate better" books. There is no magic list of skills that if you just learn these things, you'll communicate better. Communication doesn't work like that.
That said, there are a few decent enough communication "skills" books out there that are worth your time. It really depends on the type of communication skills you're looking for...for example, there are books out there entirely dedicated to how to give a good presentation (say, at work). There are books on conflict resolution. There are books on persuasion. All of these, which I don't think is what you're looking for only give you part of a very big puzzle. As far as more general communication books there are a couple you might consider:
(A note that most of these are not likely to be at your local library, but if you as your local friendly librarian how to they could get you one of these books, they can probably easily help you. Ask! Librarians are awesome! Also, most of these should be available on Amazon for not much money.)
Author: Marshall B. Rosenberg, Ph.D.
A book with an overall good perspective. A little sappy and cloying at times, but in general the intentions are in the right place with this one. Could come off as a little bit squishily academic, but an ok read and a good perspective.
Author: Alan Alda
I'm actually reading this book right now and it is a funny take on Alda's life and work and he relates his stories through (and about communication). Alda is actually pretty smart about communication and comes at it differently than most anyone else on this list. Funny and witty, what you might expect from such a great actor and comedian. Definitely worth reading.
Author: Jay Sullivan
More about work than other contexts but good advice overall. I only skimmed parts of this one so can't speak to every aspect, but appeared to be decent enough quality when I reviewed it.
Author: Thich Nhat Hanh
Different from the others on the list, this one is written by a Buddhist monk who takes a more spiritual view of communication. It is a good philosophical approach. I found parts of this book enlightening. It is not scientific-ish enough for me and it makes no claims to be. It is a philosophy book on communication, but an easy, accessible read and worth your time.
Author: Kerry Patterson
A good enough book if you're looking to navigate conflicts/difficult conversational things at work or in relationships. Deals more with the challenging aspects of communication, but for what it is, good enough advice.
Author: Liel Lowndes
Similar to the book above, but more about making conversation with people. As far as these types of books go, this one is ok enough and actually has some good advice on things to try when attempting to communicate with others.
Books like Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus, which comes up when you look for communication books should be avoided entirely. That book, and other books like it, are trash. You might as well get your advice from Cosmo.
Sorry for the length here, but like I said, this is an area of expertise. I hope you found this helpful. I can answer questions about any of these books if you like.
The following resources helped me immensely:
1) Finding someone in-person
Go to psychologytoday.com -> Find a Therapist -> Enter your location -> Scroll down on the side until you see "Types of Therapy" and expand to see all the options -> Select "Motivational Interviewing" or "Coaching"
2) YouTuber Dan O'Connor (he offers online courses but also has tons of free YouTube content)
3) Books:
How to Win Friends and Influence People (Classic and helpful/condensed versions are great too)
Communicating Effectively For Dummies (the "For Dummies" series is straight forward and inexpensive)
4) Myers-Briggs Personality Test:
This can help you gain a sense of self and why you communicate a certain way vs. other personalities. I LOVED learning about this. It is incredible and so so helpful.
https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test (free version)
https://www.mbtionline.com/TaketheMBTI (official version/costs $50)
5) Communication Courses at a local college
Look to see what your local college offers! Business Communication, Psychology courses, and Sociology are all fantastic ways to learn!
Introducing Communication Theory: Analysis and Application by Richard West and Lynn Turner. This textbook was used in my undergraduate level communication theory class and it covers the major theories and was enjoyable to read.
https://www.amazon.com/Introducing-Communication-Theory-Analysis-Application/dp/1259870324/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=introducing+communication+theories&qid=1557263237&s=books&sr=1-1
Because individually we are very, very stupid. But together we can beat up other animals. At least, that's the thesis of this upcoming book summarising the research. More about our lack of mental depth here. The Dunning-Kruger effect applies of course: we all think we are very clever.