Simply Said: Communicating Better at Work and Beyond is a well-written, informative and highly practical guide to better communication, written by Jay Sullivan. The book is aimed at helping professionals, managers, and leaders of all levels to improve their communication skills, with a focus on workplace communication but also providing insights that can be applied in personal and social contexts.
The author begins by emphasizing the importance of effective communication, highlighting the key role it plays in achieving goals, building relationships, and enhancing personal and organizational success. He then provides a clear and concise overview of the different aspects of communication, including nonverbal communication, active listening, and delivering feedback.
One of the key lessons of the book is the importance of being aware of one’s own communication style and adapting it to suit different situations and audiences. The author provides practical tips for improving nonverbal communication, such as maintaining eye contact, using gestures, and avoiding distractions. He also stresses the importance of active listening, which involves paying close attention to what others are saying, avoiding distractions, and responding appropriately.
The author also provides helpful advice on delivering feedback, which is a crucial aspect of communication in the workplace. He emphasizes the importance of being specific, constructive, and respectful when delivering feedback, and provides practical tips for delivering feedback in a way that is effective and well received. He also provides guidance on how to receive feedback, and how to use it to improve one’s communication skills.
Another important lesson of the book is the importance of using clear, concise and simple language in communication. The author provides practical tips for writing effective emails, memos, and reports, and emphasizes the need to avoid jargon, technical terms, and convoluted sentences. He also highlights the importance of using appropriate tone, style, and format when communicating, depending on the audience and context.
Throughout the book, Jay Sullivan provides numerous real-life examples and case studies to illustrate the concepts he discusses. These examples make the book engaging, accessible and easy to understand, and provide valuable insights into the application of the principles of effective communication in real-life situations.
In conclusion, Simply Said: Communicating Better at Work and Beyond is a comprehensive and highly practical guide to better communication, suitable for professionals of all levels and disciplines. It is well written, informative, and provides clear, actionable advice on how to improve one’s communication skills. Some of the key lessons to remember from this book are the importance of being aware of one’s own communication style, the value of active listening, the importance of delivering and receiving feedback effectively, and the need to use clear and concise language in all forms of communication.