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Mastering Communication at Work: How to Lead, Manage, and Influence
The classic international bestseller, updated for the hybrid work world, including a new chapter on virtual communication.
Excellent communicating skills have always been crucial to success in leadership and management roles--and that's one of the reasons the first edition of this book, Mastering Communication at Work, has been an international bestseller taught at universities and referred to by leading CEOs. In the years since it was first published, it's been the go-to "communication playbook," helping leaders develop strategic responses and communication tactics with clear, actionable advice.
What's changed in the last ten years? Well, nothing--and everything.
The fundamentals of effective communication are the same, as are many of the challenges leaders face, generation after generation. You still need to "match your listener's tendency" and "validate," and you still need to guard against "defensiveness." What has changed is how some of the fundamentals and challenges are applied and met in today's world--both real and virtual, in remote and on-site working environments.
Mastering Communication at Work, 2nd Edition features an essential new chapter on remote team communication along with additional content on equitable leadership and updated case studies. Throughout, you'll find practical, hands-on advice and strategies that can help you reach your potential when preparing for big conversations and important presentations, help you reduce everyday stress and improve your organization's performance at every level.
Excellent communicating skills have always been crucial to success in leadership and management roles--and that's one of the reasons the first edition of this book, Mastering Communication at Work, has been an international bestseller taught at universities and referred to by leading CEOs. In the years since it was first published, it's been the go-to "communication playbook," helping leaders develop strategic responses and communication tactics with clear, actionable advice.
What's changed in the last ten years? Well, nothing--and everything.
The fundamentals of effective communication are the same, as are many of the challenges leaders face, generation after generation. You still need to "match your listener's tendency" and "validate," and you still need to guard against "defensiveness." What has changed is how some of the fundamentals and challenges are applied and met in today's world--both real and virtual, in remote and on-site working environments.
Mastering Communication at Work, 2nd Edition features an essential new chapter on remote team communication along with additional content on equitable leadership and updated case studies. Throughout, you'll find practical, hands-on advice and strategies that can help you reach your potential when preparing for big conversations and important presentations, help you reduce everyday stress and improve your organization's performance at every level.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 17, 2009
98 people are currently reading
685 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 29, 2021
This is a good business communications book that focuses on 6 techniques to master, and some situations to prepare for. The techniques are good to know about, but I don't think that all successful communications stem from the first one, which is to "match your listener" according to whether your listener is an inductive or deductive communicator. I think most people use both techniques at various times. Nonetheless, it's useful to think about. The idea is to listen to figure out whether the person you're communicating with is inductive or deductive, and then match that style. I would just add, match that style when the nature of the communication recommends one or the other.
The second, "managing your ethos," means basically how much credibility you have with your listener. The third, "speak to motivate," means understanding what motivates your opposite number -- money, emotion, what pushes or pulls them? The fourth, and probably the most important, is the "frame" -- setting up your communication for the audience to hear in the right way. Then there's "validate" -- meaning, validate the worth of your audience. And finally, "add color," by varying things like speed, tone, volume, stress, inflection.
To me, this is a piece-meal approach to communication, but maybe that's because I'm a deductive thinker and this approach is highly inductive. This book certainly will be helpful to people starting out in business without much training in communications. It's a useful primer.
The second, "managing your ethos," means basically how much credibility you have with your listener. The third, "speak to motivate," means understanding what motivates your opposite number -- money, emotion, what pushes or pulls them? The fourth, and probably the most important, is the "frame" -- setting up your communication for the audience to hear in the right way. Then there's "validate" -- meaning, validate the worth of your audience. And finally, "add color," by varying things like speed, tone, volume, stress, inflection.
To me, this is a piece-meal approach to communication, but maybe that's because I'm a deductive thinker and this approach is highly inductive. This book certainly will be helpful to people starting out in business without much training in communications. It's a useful primer.
January 3, 2017
It's a reasonable book, but if you've read any communication book it's going to be a mix between subjective experience and rehashing of existing material. I found better techniques and ideas presented in Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High and The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business, which were targeted for specific types of communication and influence.
Of course, when you want to know about influencing nothing is better than Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion.
Of course, when you want to know about influencing nothing is better than Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion.
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March 1, 2022Communication is a vital skill to bring to the workplace, whether you’re managing employees or reporting to your boss. A master communicator will adapt their communication method depending on the listener’s tendency and motivation, provide validation when it’s needed, and frame their messages in a flexible and effective way. Creating a culture of communication is essential for high-functioning workplaces.
And here’s some more actionable advice:
Find out how good you are at framing.
If you’re framing your one-on-one meetings in the right way, you’ll be deploying a particular set of words and phrases that powerfully communicate your message. But is that message getting across? To see if your communication strategy is working, listen carefully to how people respond to you. If they start picking up on the vocabulary that you’ve been using, you’ll know that your framing is having its desired effect.
And here’s some more actionable advice:
Find out how good you are at framing.
If you’re framing your one-on-one meetings in the right way, you’ll be deploying a particular set of words and phrases that powerfully communicate your message. But is that message getting across? To see if your communication strategy is working, listen carefully to how people respond to you. If they start picking up on the vocabulary that you’ve been using, you’ll know that your framing is having its desired effect.
May 18, 2016
There are some really good tips in this book but, depending on where you work, a lot of it is impractical in the real world. For me, the parts you can work on and practice by yourself are worth paying attention to. Many of the suggestions involving work colleagues will make you look like a noob grad who just read a book on work communication :)
Read it and take what you can from it. Practice the techniques where you can and judge other peoples reactions to see what works for you.
The most annoying part of this book for me was that the author constantly switched between 'he' and 'she' in his examples. Sometimes even in the same paragraph which made for confusing reading.
Read it and take what you can from it. Practice the techniques where you can and judge other peoples reactions to see what works for you.
The most annoying part of this book for me was that the author constantly switched between 'he' and 'she' in his examples. Sometimes even in the same paragraph which made for confusing reading.
August 15, 2016
Overall, pretty informative, but most of the information applied to communicating with your group of direct reports. I needed something a little more general. I did pick up some interesting tips.
August 22, 2024
Mastering Communication at Work by Ethan F. Becker and Jon Wortmann is a practical guide designed to help professionals improve their communication skills in the workplace. The book offers strategies and tools for enhancing leadership, management, and influence through effective communication. It emphasizes the importance of clear, purposeful interactions in achieving professional success and building strong relationships with colleagues, clients, and teams.
Quotes:
"Without effective communication, organizations shut down. You know that effective communication is missing when the environment is highly political, people talk about one another instead of to one another, and work just isn’t fun. Unhealthy communication environments can only attract top talent with money; employees aren’t engaged, and you risk the future success of the organization.”
Central Argument:
Becker and Wortmann argue that effective communication is the cornerstone of successful leadership and management. They posit that many workplace challenges stem from misunderstandings and poor communication, and that by mastering specific communication techniques, professionals can lead more effectively, foster better teamwork, and influence others positively. The book provides a structured approach to developing these skills, with an emphasis on practical application in real-world scenarios.
Key Ideas:
• The Importance of Clear Communication: The authors stress that clarity in communication is essential for preventing misunderstandings and ensuring that messages are received as intended. They provide techniques for structuring messages in a way that is both clear and compelling.
• Active Listening: One of the key components of effective communication is active listening. The book offers strategies for improving listening skills, which are crucial for understanding others and responding appropriately.
• Nonverbal Communication: Becker and Wortmann explore the role of nonverbal cues in communication, highlighting how body language, eye contact, and tone of voice can reinforce or undermine spoken words. They provide tips for aligning verbal and nonverbal communication to enhance credibility and trust.
• Influence and Persuasion: The book delves into techniques for influencing and persuading others in a professional setting. The authors discuss the psychology behind persuasion and how to use it ethically to motivate and inspire action.
• Managing Difficult Conversations: Handling difficult conversations is a critical skill in the workplace. The book provides a framework for approaching these conversations with confidence, ensuring that they lead to constructive outcomes.
Writing Style and Approach:
Becker and Wortmann write in a clear, accessible style that makes complex communication concepts easy to understand and apply. The book is structured around actionable steps and practical examples, allowing readers to immediately implement the strategies discussed. The authors combine theoretical insights with real-world applications, making the content relevant and useful for a wide range of professionals.
Strengths and Potential Weaknesses:
The strength of Mastering Communication at Work lies in its practicality and relevance to everyday professional situations. The book offers clear guidance on improving communication skills, backed by examples and exercises that reinforce learning. However, some readers might find the advice somewhat basic if they are already experienced communicators or looking for more advanced techniques.
Target Audience:
This book is ideal for professionals at any level who want to enhance their communication skills, whether they are new managers, experienced leaders, or team members looking to improve their interpersonal interactions. It is particularly valuable for those who struggle with conveying their ideas clearly, managing difficult conversations, or influencing others in the workplace.
Conclusion:
Mastering Communication at Work by Ethan F. Becker and Jon Wortmann is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their communication skills in a professional setting. The book’s emphasis on clear, purposeful communication, active listening, and nonverbal cues provides readers with a solid foundation for becoming more effective leaders and influencers. While the content may seem basic to some, its practical approach makes it accessible and useful for a broad audience, making it a worthwhile addition to any professional’s library.
Quotes:
"Without effective communication, organizations shut down. You know that effective communication is missing when the environment is highly political, people talk about one another instead of to one another, and work just isn’t fun. Unhealthy communication environments can only attract top talent with money; employees aren’t engaged, and you risk the future success of the organization.”
Central Argument:
Becker and Wortmann argue that effective communication is the cornerstone of successful leadership and management. They posit that many workplace challenges stem from misunderstandings and poor communication, and that by mastering specific communication techniques, professionals can lead more effectively, foster better teamwork, and influence others positively. The book provides a structured approach to developing these skills, with an emphasis on practical application in real-world scenarios.
Key Ideas:
• The Importance of Clear Communication: The authors stress that clarity in communication is essential for preventing misunderstandings and ensuring that messages are received as intended. They provide techniques for structuring messages in a way that is both clear and compelling.
• Active Listening: One of the key components of effective communication is active listening. The book offers strategies for improving listening skills, which are crucial for understanding others and responding appropriately.
• Nonverbal Communication: Becker and Wortmann explore the role of nonverbal cues in communication, highlighting how body language, eye contact, and tone of voice can reinforce or undermine spoken words. They provide tips for aligning verbal and nonverbal communication to enhance credibility and trust.
• Influence and Persuasion: The book delves into techniques for influencing and persuading others in a professional setting. The authors discuss the psychology behind persuasion and how to use it ethically to motivate and inspire action.
• Managing Difficult Conversations: Handling difficult conversations is a critical skill in the workplace. The book provides a framework for approaching these conversations with confidence, ensuring that they lead to constructive outcomes.
Writing Style and Approach:
Becker and Wortmann write in a clear, accessible style that makes complex communication concepts easy to understand and apply. The book is structured around actionable steps and practical examples, allowing readers to immediately implement the strategies discussed. The authors combine theoretical insights with real-world applications, making the content relevant and useful for a wide range of professionals.
Strengths and Potential Weaknesses:
The strength of Mastering Communication at Work lies in its practicality and relevance to everyday professional situations. The book offers clear guidance on improving communication skills, backed by examples and exercises that reinforce learning. However, some readers might find the advice somewhat basic if they are already experienced communicators or looking for more advanced techniques.
Target Audience:
This book is ideal for professionals at any level who want to enhance their communication skills, whether they are new managers, experienced leaders, or team members looking to improve their interpersonal interactions. It is particularly valuable for those who struggle with conveying their ideas clearly, managing difficult conversations, or influencing others in the workplace.
Conclusion:
Mastering Communication at Work by Ethan F. Becker and Jon Wortmann is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their communication skills in a professional setting. The book’s emphasis on clear, purposeful communication, active listening, and nonverbal cues provides readers with a solid foundation for becoming more effective leaders and influencers. While the content may seem basic to some, its practical approach makes it accessible and useful for a broad audience, making it a worthwhile addition to any professional’s library.
October 28, 2023
Communication is one of my weakness and the concepts of this book is simple and light enough for easy recall and application to guide one through all types of communication.
This book emphasizes that communication hard skill the can be learned and developed.
My chief is a deductive thinker and the rest of my superiors and colleagues are inductive thinkers.
I'm also a deductive thinker which makes it more difficult communicate.
Ah the scuffy free thinking lawyer in this book is exactly what I am...
and this book is about right... I can be one for now because at my entry level role, I can easily build credibility from solely on performance.
Ethos - level of credibility or impression
Goal of ethos must be respectable - balance between authority and personable
3x3 matrix - where I discovered that I'm in the logic and achievement
Factors motivated by: ethos, emotion, and logic
Emotion and logic speak for themselves: emotional people perform when fired up, while logical people need to understand why.
Factors motivated for achievement, recognition (explicit validation!), and power
For achievement junkies, getting the job done is the reward in itself – but if recognition is their driving factor, they’ll need external validation and applause. Power-motivated people seek leadership roles, and respond well to offers of extra responsibility.
One example of when to think about motivation is when you’re delegating.
A good communicator is an expert at framing their message.
validation + no is always better especially when confronted when defensive communicators
Noting to let internal thinking like me participate too.
External thinkers – talk as they process information
Internal thinkers need a little quiet first. Give internal thinkers ample time and opportunity to participate too – don’t always let the external thinkers dominate. - I see that this is why written memorandums are now a usual practice in court too!
This book emphasizes that communication hard skill the can be learned and developed.
My chief is a deductive thinker and the rest of my superiors and colleagues are inductive thinkers.
I'm also a deductive thinker which makes it more difficult communicate.
Ah the scuffy free thinking lawyer in this book is exactly what I am...
and this book is about right... I can be one for now because at my entry level role, I can easily build credibility from solely on performance.
Ethos - level of credibility or impression
Goal of ethos must be respectable - balance between authority and personable
3x3 matrix - where I discovered that I'm in the logic and achievement
Factors motivated by: ethos, emotion, and logic
Emotion and logic speak for themselves: emotional people perform when fired up, while logical people need to understand why.
Factors motivated for achievement, recognition (explicit validation!), and power
For achievement junkies, getting the job done is the reward in itself – but if recognition is their driving factor, they’ll need external validation and applause. Power-motivated people seek leadership roles, and respond well to offers of extra responsibility.
One example of when to think about motivation is when you’re delegating.
A good communicator is an expert at framing their message.
validation + no is always better especially when confronted when defensive communicators
Noting to let internal thinking like me participate too.
External thinkers – talk as they process information
Internal thinkers need a little quiet first. Give internal thinkers ample time and opportunity to participate too – don’t always let the external thinkers dominate. - I see that this is why written memorandums are now a usual practice in court too!
February 28, 2022
Communication is a vital skill to bring to the workplace, whether you’re managing employees or reporting to your boss. A master communicator will adapt their communication method depending on the listener’s tendency and motivation, provide validation when it’s needed, and frame their messages in a flexible and effective way. Creating a culture of communication is essential for high-functioning workplaces.
January 2, 2018
There was some good information, but most of it you’ve probably heard before or figured out on your own if you have a few years of work experience. There were some good examples on how to handle a direct report that is underperforming and also tips on what not to do when using Powerpoint during a presentation.
May 18, 2025
I've read a few books on communication at this point and this one was the most useless. Most of the advice felt vapid and impractical. This book was free and I still feel ripped off.
Additionally the book has a weird sexist tone where most negative cases use female pronouns, while the positive ones use male pronouns. May be just reading into things but definitely felt off.
Additionally the book has a weird sexist tone where most negative cases use female pronouns, while the positive ones use male pronouns. May be just reading into things but definitely felt off.
June 2, 2025
This book presents some interesting points for self-reflection, but it’s hard to get past the strange co-opting of Aristotle’s philosophical theories. It would have been clearer and more to the point to present the ideas as their own “thing.” The way they were framed makes it feel like the authors believed they needed to leverage a big name like Aristotle to give their ideas any credibility.
November 18, 2022
It is a good book to have in your arsenal. Good information on communication that gives you things to think about and apply as you are able. The techniques have a wide range of use from business and leadership to personal and relational. Well worth the read.
May 10, 2017
Useful guide (especially for managers) with exercises and examples of how to communicate effectively in the workplace.
January 11, 2019
Exellent book
March 1, 2022
Communication is a hard skill that’s vital in every place.
April 16, 2023
Just what one might expect from this kind of books—no less, no more.
April 28, 2023
First one I read on this topic, and it covers pretty much all aspects I can or can't think of. Thinking of using it as a handbook. Would definitely recommend.
August 28, 2024
Great read for any profession.
August 6, 2016
Read it for a class. The book is very readable and does have what seem to be useful suggestions, simply because it gives simple perspectives and directions for the clueless at the theories behind good communication. It also provides real-world examples for applying its lessons from business leaders at successful companies. However, it does also have a healthy dose of tritely worded suggestions and unsuitable metaphors that probably were not the best choice for an un-ironic book about effective communication.
August 10, 2013
This book is a great handbook on how to communicate effectively in a variety of tough work situations. I expect to go back to this book often.
Incidentally, the last chapter, titled "The Most Important Chapter", was the least important chapter in my opinion.
Incidentally, the last chapter, titled "The Most Important Chapter", was the least important chapter in my opinion.
September 21, 2013
Definitely recommend this book, easy to read and easy to use techniques of communication not just at work, but also in everyday situations.
January 9, 2014
Read for work purposes.
December 28, 2016
Pretty good work communications book. Great examples. Worth keeping on the shelf as a reference.
October 14, 2014
HOLY SHIT this book is good. It will change how you approach many, many situations. Read it.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews