How to Talk to Anyone About Anything: How to Communicate Better, Improve Social Skills, and Get Your Arguments Across

by Ian Tuhovsky

What happens when you learn to communicate better with everyone? No doubt you’ve had to endure a painfully awkward conversation, more than once in your life. Maybe it was a stranger, a colleague, or a date. Maybe it was a group discussion. You found yourself breaking a sweat, not knowing what to say. The more time passed, the more tense you became. You thought about all the communication books you’ve read in your life and wished you had them with you…to knock yourself unconscious as a way out of the conversation. The best thing about the whole situation was the moment it ended.

Now, you also came across people in your life who effortlessly led you through a conversation. They were charming, fun, and made you feel comfortable. You enjoyed it so much and felt uplifted afterwards. This is the audiobook that will teach you to be that person. By the time you finish listening, you’ll know how to talk to anyone about anything. Literally.

Why listen to this audiobook?



Learn interpersonal communication skills that will help you build meaningful and deeper relationships with people. Learn how to talk to anyone, and build a network of great people that will help you achieve your goals in life. Learn fun conversation starters that will immediately put you and others at ease and help you find common ground. Learn how to read people like a book, understand why they communicate the way they do, and how you can lead them in conversation. Who is this audiobook for? If you want to build a professional network that will help you advance your career; have great relationships with friends, family, and romantic partners; laugh, have fun, and enjoy conversations; understand yourself and others better; then this is the audiobook for you!

Say good-bye to awkward conversations, feeling insecure in social settings, and miscommunication. Welcome new possibilities, connections, and the new you.

Genres: Communication, Business, Nonfiction, Social, Psychology

Audible Audio

Published December 8, 2021

Reviews

[Emiliano Piscitelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good evening Ian,
forgive my late response, but in order to be able to write about such an important book, you have to be able to make every thought your own, so I read it twice.
"This book can be a positive catalyst for everyone, helping to improve interpersonal and communication relationships with anyone. I think that today to be a true leader, a great manager or just a true friend or parent, one must have direct, simple and polite communication that understands everyone's reasons but does not diminish one's own by reiterating and affirming them. Having an assertive communication means to fully understand the power of words and communication, which help you to improve yourself day by day making you better.
Thank you very much Ian for giving me this precious gift.

With esteem Emiliano

[Rajan Sundaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a regular reader of Ian Tuhovsky's books, which are published under Positive Psychology Coaching Series.
The latest one is a guide to communicate better, improve social skills and get our arguments across. All of us would agree that better communication is essential to get ahead in life. We also know that those with good communication skills get better jobs, earn more income and are well-respected.
Ian manages to cover all the relevant topics essential for better communication skills in eighteen chapters, running to less than 150 pages. Short, but also, sweet!
The need for speaking skills, elements of conversation, barriers to conversation are all covered well in the initial chapters.
The art of conversational threading, how to strike a balance in conversations, the need for silence during conversation, and how to become an authority in the art of conversation are all covered well by the author. Dealing with interruptions, commanding respect, how to close a conversation, following up have all been covered well.
A handy addition to our library.

[Dinh Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's first time ever I've read a book on listening and speaking skills that covers wide matters like this work of Ian Tuhovsky. Instead of reading many books to master your conversation skills, from how to start a social conversation, or how to overcome conflicting ones, to the way leaders need to speak, you can obtain all of it by merely reading one book that is this book.

With a writing style like talking among friends, and telling stories with many practical cases for explanation and inspiration, the author naturally leads you through the whole book.

I consider this is a helpful handbook for whoever want to master speaking skills by understanding and practicing. I strongly recommend the book both for students and for managers for self-development.

[Pablo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm reading this and it honestly presents the topics with the conceptual clarity that characterizes Ian. He begins by explaining why it is necessary to learn skills to speak, then he does an analysis and dissection of a conversation, and finally he synthesizes it in different use cases considering gestures and attitudes. I like that way of approaching his books and this one in particular. If you want to learn to better convey your concepts and really show what you want to communicate in a conversation, without your gestures, prejudices or self-esteem betraying you, I think this is the right book.

[Winter Arcane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book didn't tell me much that I didn't already know, as I read at least one or two books about communication per year for purposes of refreshing and reflecting, but I could certainly see recommending it as a good starting point for people who are at the starting point of wanting to be better communicators. It's clear, concise, and easy to digest.

Honestly, I feel like it's messed up that we're not teaching these basic skills in school. It would be a dramatically better world if these skills were treated with the same importance as science and math.

[Bradley Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical insights

Great book for any age but this would be especially helpful for shy high school or college students to have the lifelong skills everyone needs to acquire good careers and relationships. I wish I had had this when I was just starting out. This short book shows the way to develop so many life skills -- self confidence, leadership, conflict resolution, relationship building -- all with the power of a few powerful words.

[Dear_Shelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who experiences social anxiety, this book was very informative for me.

Not only did it dole out some great pointers on speaking clearly and effectively, but, it also reminds the reader that LISTENING is a major component of holding a conversation as well. In addition, the book explains how to use body language and tone of voice to get a point across. I will continue to practice the skills that I learned from this book and plan on listening again in the future as a refresher.

[Neera Kapahi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy reading Ian Tuhovsky’s books because they are well written and informative. Ian Tuhovsky gives us many practical tips in order to communicate better in any situation along with various scenarios.

He writes that non verbal communication is just as important - facial expressions, gestures and posture play an important role in effective communication.

[Mai · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are an influencer, a writer, or just a reader, this book is for you.
It offers a wide range of tips on how to deal with different kinds of people, how to use the proper sentences, and how to choose the right gestures while speaking.
Honestly, I gained a lot of knowledge from it. I recommend it to everyone.

[Jozsef · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot about communication, but in fact, this book has shown me how complex and versatile this topic is. But it not only showed, but also provides a plenty of useful tips and strategies for overcoming or resolving communication difficulties. My best advise is to read and practice the instructions in it several times to be able to communicate easily and routinely in any situation.

[Mathew · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

I’m only giving this book 3 stars because some of the information was helpful but mostly it’s just a refresher course for people who have been living under a rock their whole lives. Anything thing that I found bad about the book was before the first chapter the author promoted another one of his books before I even got to read the first chapter.

[Anushka Wijesundera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written as all other Ian Tuhovsky's books. The communication methods mentioned in this book can be used in many practical ways. I would recommend this book for young professionals who seek to improve their communication skills in order to advance in their carriers.

[Emanuele Quattrocchi]

This book is very nice. It is not the first time I read the books of Ian Tuhovsky.
They're short and to the point, providing good insights about the topic.
I am really enjoying reading it. It is a good formative book for everyone.

[Doc Riddick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for those who truly want to become a better communicator. This is not a book for the causal reader, but for those that desire to improve their communication skills on all levels. Great Book !!

Doc

[Angel Veliz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friendly and easy on the eyes.

I liked how it was easy to read, I gave it five stars because of its adaptability to today's world. I recommend it to someone who wants to gain friends.

[Christene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ian's books are always entertaining with much humour and wisdom. I love that he gives examples for how to apply this new information into my life.

[Shehana]

Amazing, well written. Practical. Can definitely be implemented.

[Nafisatu Quansah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks very much ,Mr. Ian ... The book is very Insightful ,I have really learnt a lot, even though I haven't finish reading but from what I have read it's very inspiring and worth it. I'm Grateful.

[Ljerka Hrzenjak-Sego]

This book is well written and informative. An author gives us many practical tips in order to communicate better in any situation along with various scenarios. My sincere recommendations!

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insightful

[Hunter O’Bryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5. Although a little self explanatory, this book does make you think and ponder over your past conversations with people, giving you insight as to what you should’ve done.

[Mia Huynh · Rating 3 out of 5]

How To Talk To Anyone About Anything by Ian Tuhovsky is a great book in improving your conversational skills. It is concise and clean, yet also shows versatility and applications to many different situations. It's a lot of information to handle at once, but having a physical copy of this book to review and look over from time to time is so helpful. You'll become a master at conversing in no time!

Here are some of the main points that I think to remember from the book:

1. Speaking with the right intent. There are five filters that people have when perceiving a statement made towards them: advising, educating, sympathizing, one-upping, story-telling, shutting down, and personal prejudices. Based on each, their response will differ as they will hear different things.

2. The "starter kit" to start a good conversation:
1. Don't Try Too Hard.
2. Look for Common Ground.
3. Show Interest.
4. Be vulnerable.
5. Don't Feel Burdened.
6. Listen carefully.
7. Ask for opinions.
8. Ask for help.
9. Offer help.
10. Say something positive.
11. Ask open-ended questions.
12. Be attentive.

3. These are the 16 elements of a conversation: asking, informing, asserting, proposing, summarizing, checking, building, including, excluding, self-promotion, supporting, disagreeing, avoiding, challenging, attacking, defending.

4. Utilize body language! And, understand others too.

5. Thread one conversation to another based on the topics introduced.

6. Keep it Simple, Stupid!(KISS) Don't Keep it Long or Loud (KILL)

7. Create emotional connections.

8. Know how to handle awkward, negative, and dangerous topics.

[Elizabeth Nettles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Informative

This book was super informative for conversational skills! I’m a bit of a shy introvert so it’s definitely going to take LOTS of practice, and learning to get out of my shell a little more before I can confidently utilize the skills provided in this book, but I’m very happy that I now have these skills in my mind for when I need to use them, or am ready to use them!