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Communicate with Courage: Taking Risks to Overcome the Four Hidden Challenges
Raising your game as a communicator is one of the best ways to make a positive difference in the world - and in your personal and professional life. This book helps you summon courage when fear creeps in.
As a lifelong communication skills coach, Gladieux has discovered four sneaky obstacles that can keep you from becoming the best communicator you can be.
The book outlines
* Hiding (fear of exposing supposed or actual weaker points)
* Defining (being quick to judge)
* Rationalizing (allowing pessimism to prevent you from taking worthwhile risks), and
* Settling (stopping at "good enough" instead of striving toward better interactions
These four challenges require risks - to reveal yourself intelligently, question your beliefs, or take a leap of faith. Each chapter includes real-world practices called "Pro Moves" and an exercise carefully crafted to help you find more joy in communicating.
As a lifelong communication skills coach, Gladieux has discovered four sneaky obstacles that can keep you from becoming the best communicator you can be.
The book outlines
* Hiding (fear of exposing supposed or actual weaker points)
* Defining (being quick to judge)
* Rationalizing (allowing pessimism to prevent you from taking worthwhile risks), and
* Settling (stopping at "good enough" instead of striving toward better interactions
These four challenges require risks - to reveal yourself intelligently, question your beliefs, or take a leap of faith. Each chapter includes real-world practices called "Pro Moves" and an exercise carefully crafted to help you find more joy in communicating.
- GenresProfessional Development
Unknown Binding
Published November 1, 2022
35 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Michelle D. Gladieux
1 book2 followersMichelle Gladieux (glad-ee-oh) has been called a "human potential whisperer" by Pulitzer Prize nominated journalist Dean Rotbart. She's an instructional designer, trainer, and executive coach specializing in helping people from diverse backgrounds raise their game as communicators in all areas of life.
Michelle has 18 years collegiate teaching experience at three universities in her home state of Indiana, accepting her first adjunct faculty position at age 23. Her book Communicate with Courage: Taking Risks to Overcome the Four Hidden Challenges offers practical strategies and PRO MOVES to improve our message sending and receiving so we can all take more joy AND GET MORE WINS as communicators. She loves the people she serves, and it shows.
Michelle has 18 years collegiate teaching experience at three universities in her home state of Indiana, accepting her first adjunct faculty position at age 23. Her book Communicate with Courage: Taking Risks to Overcome the Four Hidden Challenges offers practical strategies and PRO MOVES to improve our message sending and receiving so we can all take more joy AND GET MORE WINS as communicators. She loves the people she serves, and it shows.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 28, 2022
As Stevo’s Novel Ideas, I am a long-time book reviewer, member of the media, an Influencer, and a content provider. I received this book as a free review copy from either the publisher, a publicist, or the author, and have not been otherwise compensated for reviewing or recommending it. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This book was Stevo's Business Book of the Week for the week of 11/27, as selected by Stevo's Book Reviews on the Internet and Stevo's Novel Ideas. Learn how to become a more fearless and peerless communicator.
There isn't one function we perform in the business world that doesn't depend on our ability to communicate effectively. To do so, we not only must overcome our fear of appearing weak or uninformed, but we must also acquire the necessary tools to present ideas that get attention and result in action. Michelle D. Gladieux's new book, "Communicate with Courage," contains a wealth of ideas and exercises for accomplishing both.
Gladieux focuses on four traits that we must overcome in order to present our best selves: Hiding, Defining, Rationalizing, and Settling. Harnessing these obstacles, however, involves developing the courage to take risks.
Each of these traits is addressed by a Pro Move, a communication strategy to try that may or may-not be successful, and an Exercise that reinforces the chapter topic and builds courage by doing. Each has a specific value, but one of my favorite Pro Tips is taking the risk of focusing attention on you by asking questions at meetings and risking the potential for being misjudged or misunderstood. You may find the risk is unfounded, but you will never know unless you take it.
While many will never discover the "joy" of being a great communicator, Gladieux's abundant tips and tricks will give you the confidence to overcome the fear that holds you back from a promotion, or changing the world.
Find more Business Books of the Week on my Goodreads Listopia page at https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9..., and find many more reviewed and recommended books and products by searching for me on Google.
This book was Stevo's Business Book of the Week for the week of 11/27, as selected by Stevo's Book Reviews on the Internet and Stevo's Novel Ideas. Learn how to become a more fearless and peerless communicator.
There isn't one function we perform in the business world that doesn't depend on our ability to communicate effectively. To do so, we not only must overcome our fear of appearing weak or uninformed, but we must also acquire the necessary tools to present ideas that get attention and result in action. Michelle D. Gladieux's new book, "Communicate with Courage," contains a wealth of ideas and exercises for accomplishing both.
Gladieux focuses on four traits that we must overcome in order to present our best selves: Hiding, Defining, Rationalizing, and Settling. Harnessing these obstacles, however, involves developing the courage to take risks.
Each of these traits is addressed by a Pro Move, a communication strategy to try that may or may-not be successful, and an Exercise that reinforces the chapter topic and builds courage by doing. Each has a specific value, but one of my favorite Pro Tips is taking the risk of focusing attention on you by asking questions at meetings and risking the potential for being misjudged or misunderstood. You may find the risk is unfounded, but you will never know unless you take it.
While many will never discover the "joy" of being a great communicator, Gladieux's abundant tips and tricks will give you the confidence to overcome the fear that holds you back from a promotion, or changing the world.
Find more Business Books of the Week on my Goodreads Listopia page at https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9..., and find many more reviewed and recommended books and products by searching for me on Google.
October 21, 2023
Great read for those wanting to reflect on how well they communicate. Offers great "Pro Moves" and questions to ponder on how you engage with people daily.
January 4, 2023
This is an excellent business guide for anyone looking to improve their communication skills for business or personal matters.
My Review
My Review
April 28, 2023
A must read for anyone desiring to be a strong leader and better communicator. As a coach, I loved the Pro Moves Michelle shares and the easy and applicable exercises she passes on after each chapter. Great guide for coaches looking to adopt new and fresh practices into their craft. Easy read for leaders who want to focus on a few areas for self improvement. An easy book to read and great for a flight or car trip!
November 15, 2022
Great advice and insight
February 6, 2023
This short book was not disappointing. I have made 2023 the year when I will communicate with courage, and the book helps me kick off this goal. I am ready to take the risk!
June 19, 2024
From the very beginning, Michelle Gladieux's approachable writing style makes complex communication concepts easy to understand and implement. She uses a blend of personal anecdotes, research, and practical advice that resonates well with readers from all walks of life. The book is divided into clear, manageable sections, each addressing different facets of communication – from overcoming the fear of public speaking to handling difficult conversations with poise.
One of the standout aspects of this book is its actionable strategies. Gladieux doesn’t just tell you what to do; she walks you through the hows and whys, offering exercises and reflections that help to internalize the lessons. Her emphasis on self-awareness and empathy is particularly valuable, highlighting that effective communication is not just about speaking well, but also about listening and understanding others.
"Communicate with Courage" is not just for those who consider themselves poor communicators. Even if you believe you are already a good communicator, this book will help you refine your skills and approach situations with renewed confidence and clarity. It’s a powerful tool for leaders, managers, educators, and anyone looking to improve their personal and professional relationships.
One of the standout aspects of this book is its actionable strategies. Gladieux doesn’t just tell you what to do; she walks you through the hows and whys, offering exercises and reflections that help to internalize the lessons. Her emphasis on self-awareness and empathy is particularly valuable, highlighting that effective communication is not just about speaking well, but also about listening and understanding others.
"Communicate with Courage" is not just for those who consider themselves poor communicators. Even if you believe you are already a good communicator, this book will help you refine your skills and approach situations with renewed confidence and clarity. It’s a powerful tool for leaders, managers, educators, and anyone looking to improve their personal and professional relationships.
September 20, 2024
I don't have a bad thing to say about this book. It is wonderfully written and offers incredible tips to anyone who feels like they need to grow as a communicator. I have soooooo many book flags throughout the book with areas that I want to revisit. It's my communication bible, if you will. It came into my life at a very pivotal time and is helping me grow and learn, a true gift from the universe. Please pick this book up. You won't regret it.
March 11, 2023
I liked this book as a general introduction to getting started as an executive or speaker by tackling the kinds of negative thinking and mental blocks that hold many people back. This is good, fundamental stuff.
March 8, 2023
This is an excellent book. Easy to read and follow.
March 19, 2023
Great book, so many Pro Moves for raising your communication game. It's an easy read peppered with humorous and touching anecdotes.
February 12, 2025
It was fine. A little redundant, but overall a good message and a very quick read.
March 15, 2025
Many thanks for sharing, Michelle!
July 25, 2023
I wish I had this book decades ago. It’s full of great information and practical strategies to help you push past your fears and take reasonable risks to overcome your communication challenges. I recognized myself in more than one of the four hidden challenges, and using the exercises in the book has me on the path to conquering some of my own communication fears. I’ve read it multiple times and picked up new things every time (it’s a quick and easy read). I highly recommend it!
May 2, 2025
Michelle’s insights into overcoming communication stumbling blocks are empowering. She puts herself out there, sharing her own challenges and then follows up with real-world Pro Moves applicable to anyone, no matter what stage of life. The Hiding From Risk chapter resonated with me the most: “Your light is irreplaceable”. My copy of the book is full of sticky notes and entire sections underlined and highlighted.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews