Summary

Master the art of communication to improve outcomes in any scenario

Simply Said is the essential handbook for business communication. Do you ever feel as though your message hasn't gotten across? Do details get lost along the way? Have tense situations ever escalated unnecessarily? Do people buy into your ideas? It all comes down to communication. We all communicate, but few of us do it well. From tough presentations to everyday transactions, there is no scenario that cannot be improved with better communication skills. This book presents an all-encompassing guide to improving your communication, based on the Exec|Comm philosophy: we are all better communicators when we focus focus less on ourselves and more on other people. More than just a list of tips, this book connects skills with scenarios and purpose to help you hear and be heard. You'll learn the skills to deliver great presentations and clear and persuasive messages, handle difficult conversations, effectively manage, lead with authenticity and more, as you discover the secrets of true communication.

Communication affects every interaction every day. Why not learn to do it well? This book provides comprehensive guidance toward getting your message across, and getting the results you want.

Shift your focus from yourself to other people
Build a reputation as a good listener
Develop your written and oral communications for the greatest impact
Inspire and influence others
Communicate more effectively in any business or social situation

Did that email come across as harsh? Did you offend someone unintentionally? Great communication skills give you the power to influence someone's thinking and guide them to where you need them to be. Simply Said teaches you the critical skills that make you more effective in business and in life.

Author Biography

Jay Sullivan is an award-winning author and the Managing Partner at Exec|Comm, LLC. Whether coaching individuals one-on-one or working with groups, Jay helps professionals from global organizations have greater impact through communication. As a contributing writer on Forbes.com, he shares insights on leadership, communication, and careers. He wrote The Art of Communication column for the New York Law Journal. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Readers Digest, Parents Magazine, Catholic Digest, and The Golfer.

Introduction: Focus on Others xi

Section One Your Content 1

Chapter 1 What Do You Mean by That?

Conveying a Clear Message 3

Chapter 2 Once Upon a Time . . .

Telling Engaging Stories 17

Chapter 3 A Place for Everything

Organizing Your Content 23

Section Two Your Oral Communication Skills 39

Chapter 4 Stand Up and Stand Out

Making the Most of Your Body Language 41

Chapter 5 Are You Just “Waiting to Talk”?

Listening to Understand 65

Chapter 6 See It. Save It. Say It.

Delivering from Notes and Visuals 87

Chapter 7 What If They Ask You Something You Don’t Know?

Responding to Questions 113

Section Three Your Written Communication Skills 125

Chapter 8 Challenge Every Word

Editing for Clarity 129

Chapter 9 Form Follows Function

Structuring Your Documents 146

Chapter 10 Make It Easy

Creating Reader-Friendly Documents 154

Chapter 11 Hit Send with Confidence

Writing Emails That Resonate 160

Section Four Your Interactions 171

Chapter 12 It’s a Dialogue, Not a Monologue

Conducting Effective Client Meetings 173

Chapter 13 You Can’t Do It All

Delegating Successfully 183

Chapter 14 Do You Have a Minute?

Sharing Meaningful Feedback 192

Chapter 15 Raise Your Glass

Giving Toasts 202

Chapter 16 Pass the Mic

Handling Introductions 206

Chapter 17 The Possibilities Are Endless

Facilitating Brainstorming Meetings 211

Section Five Your Leadership 217

Chapter 18 Inspire and Influence

Leading Others 219

Chapter 19 From Invincibility to Authenticity

Showing Vulnerability 231

About Exec|Comm 241

About the Author 243

Acknowledgments 245

Grammar Guidelines for Personal Pronouns 249

Video Resources 253

Index 255