How to Talk So People Listen: Connecting in Today's Workplace

by Sonya Hamlin

At a time when it's harder than ever to get and keep people's attention, we could all use some help. Enter Sonya Hamlin, author of the now classic How to Talk So People Listen (1988), and one of the country's leading communication experts. In this revised and updated edition, Sonya Hamlin, arguably America's leading communication expert, shows us how to successfully capture people's attention so that they listen, understand, and are persuaded by your message –– especially in the plugged–in, fast–paced, visually–driven atmosphere that is today's workplace. Whether making a presentation to a large audience or dealing one–on–one with a client or colleague, or communicating by E–mail, Hamlin teaches us that one of the keys to making people listen is to think about and respond to what motivates them – namely, self–interest. She then provides tools to assess others' self–interest and use it to get them to listen to your message. Hamlin also explains how to capitalize on the latest visual aids we have at our disposal today. We learn to determine what information needs or lends itself to visual presentation, and how to make visuals active, so that they serve as an extension of the speaker. In HOW TO TALK SO PEOPLE LISTEN, you'll also find practical information on how to understand your audience, how to encourage your listeners to trust you, and how to be yourself when you're on the podium.

Genres: Self Help, Communication, Business, Leadership, Ebooks, Nonfiction, Personal Development

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Ivanina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is not bad - for people making their first steps in presentations, the book could be useful. But for me it was quite basic.

The first chapters are ok, especially the Pre-think chart, but these, specially for presentations - too many words and space wasted to say very basic and simple things.

In conclusion I'd say: good ideas that could fit into twice less pages :/

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gave so good insights on how to be a better communicator. The biggest point I took away is: "create dialogue, not monologue" which is difficult to do in this "me-centered" society we live in.

[William Schram · Rating 4 out of 5]

No matter what you do or how you put food on the table everyone has a need to communicate with others. With the development of both television and the internet, we have changed how we listen to messages and the very way we communicate altogether. The author points out that the attention span of the average American has shortened to about 90 seconds.

How To Talk So People Listen is written by Sonya Hamlin. The basic problem with communication is getting your partner to listen to your message. This has not changed even with the development of technologies allowing for quick communication between people.

This is an updated edition. The original book came out in the 1980s and this one came out in 2006. So the biggest issues that have come about are both the generational differences and the multicultural workforce of today. Attempting to navigate that sort of minefield unaided can be daunting.

So now that this is 2019 that I am reviewing this book the iPhone and other Smartphone technologies and products have become ubiquitous. This has only served to separate people even further. The book acknowledges three generations and describes when they were born and gives their rough ages. So the book talks about Baby Boomers, Gen X-ers, and Gen Y-ers. Each one is discussed with charts, graphs, and bullet points.

The only thing that really dates the book is that the technologies have come even further now. As I mentioned, the book is from 2006. Each chapter breaks down a part of a conversation or a situation that could come about at work. The book is well-done.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous. Lots of great stuff. Makes for a great career.

[Erick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring

[Natanail Stefanov · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read book on communication skills for everyone with little or no formal/theoretical knowledge in the field.

[Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful. Already used some of the techniques in this book on a PowerPoint presentation. This book will make you rethink how you approach meeting

[Kamilan]

Hadiah sebagai Penceramah dan Facilitator Kursus Teknikal Kawalan Malaria Peringkat Negeri Perak. Bertempat di Pusat Dakwah Jeli, Kampung Jenub, Bukit Bunga, Tanah Merah, Kelantan. 05 hingga 07 April 2011.