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Where communication is concerned, some people think they've got it made because they have an extroverted personality. But that's not necessarily the case. An outgoing, life-of-the-party personality doesn't necessarily equate to sensitivity to others, which is the core of goodwill. Both introverts and extroverts need specific skills. |
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That's not to say, of course, that either personality type doesn't know how to communicate. We all communicate up to a pointup to the point where our habits set in. Until someone makes an insensitive remark. Until someone asks us for our advice and then argues against it. Until someone ignores our ideas in a meeting. Until we're tongue-tied with a group of complainers. Until we're defensive about how we are handling the current project. Until someone calls us arrogant. Until we fail to persuade our team or customer to take action. Until a friend tells us we need to learn to negotiate rather than dictate. Until someone won't accept "no" for an answer. Until a spouse wants out of the marriage. |
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When we find ourselves in any of these situations, we need to change the way we're communicatingto increase our skills with a specific technique that jump-starts us past habit and on to progress. We need to stop hoping we "get through" and ensure that we do. |
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That's the "why" of this book. |
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Communication Is a Life-or-Death Matter |
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That's not an overstatement. Ask lawyers, engineers, system analysts, or secretaries which creates the most frustration and failurethe technical part of their job or dealing with peopleand they'll agree on the latter. Samson of biblical fame killed 10,000 Philistines with the jawbone of an ass. Similar destruction occurs on a daily basis with the same weapon. |
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Consider these benefits of communicating well. You'll |
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Get the correct information quicker. |
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Build credibility with customers and colleagues. |
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Develop more intimate relationships. |
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Build loyalty in a supportive climate. |
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Unleash creativity within yourself and others by building on each other's ideas. |
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Facilitate problem solving. |
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Build consensus for decisions. |
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Motivate others to work more effectively. |
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