Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson is a book about understanding different communication and behavioural styles, and how to communicate effectively with people who have different styles than your own. Erikson presents his ideas using the DISC model, which categorizes people into four different communication styles: Dominant, Influencing, Steady, and Conscientious.
You're Not Listening: What You're Missing and Why It Matters by Kate Murphy is a thought-provoking book that explores the art of listening and its profound impact on our relationships, well-being, and society as a whole. Murphy sheds light on the alarming decline of listening skills in our modern world and provides insightful perspectives and practical tips to become better listeners.
"The Loudest Duck: Moving Beyond Diversity while Embracing Differences to Achieve Success at Work" by Laura A. Liswood provides a compelling examination of workplace diversity and inclusion, offering practical advice for leveraging differences to achieve organisational success. Liswood, an expert on leadership and diversity, uses parables, real-world examples, and insightful analysis to illustrate the complexities and benefits of creating inclusive workplaces.
Douglas E. Noll’s book De-Escalate: How to Calm an Angry Person in 90 Seconds or Less provides a step-by-step guide to managing conflict and defusing anger in tense situations. The book is grounded in neuroscience and communication techniques that help readers turn hostility into calm, productive conversations. Noll argues that traditional conflict resolution methods often fail because they do not address the underlying emotional needs of an angry person. Instead, he introduces a counterintuitive but highly effective method: affective labelling, or the practice of acknowledging and verbalising the emotions of the upset individual.
John C. Maxwell’s Everyone Communicates, Few Connect explores the difference between merely speaking to others and truly connecting with them. Maxwell, a leadership expert, argues that successful individuals don’t just transmit information—they build meaningful relationships through effective communication. The book provides practical strategies to help people improve their communication skills, whether in personal relationships, business, or leadership roles.
"Value-Added Selling: How to Sell More Profitably, Confidently, and Professionally by Competing on Value, Not Price" by Tom Reilly is a comprehensive guide that revolutionises traditional sales techniques by shifting the focus from price to value. Reilly argues that in today's competitive market, selling solely based on price is a losing proposition, and instead, sales professionals should concentrate on communicating and delivering unique value propositions to their customers. Through a combination of theory, practical examples, and actionable strategies, Reilly equips readers with the tools they need to become value-added sellers.