We Need to Talk: Building Trust When Communicating Gets Critical

by Phillip Van Hooser, Kevin VanHooser (Illustrator)

Will your business relationships suffer or be saved by your ability to communicate? Like it or not, our professional relationships are impacted positively or negatively by the ability to communicate. Customers are won or lost. Employees are encouraged or de-motivated. Our network is expanded or extinguished all by how well we communicate. We Need to Talk reveals key strategies to help you build trust, win respect and sidestep common minefields when communicating gets critical. Discover how you can establish empathy and trust when communicating with subordinates, co-workers, superiors or customers; rebuild the believability quotient when truthfulness has not always been practiced; rein in brutal honestly and the damage it causes; build rapport by actively listening; earn respect while delivering difficult or sensitive messages; build integrity while eliminating communication barriers like the grapevine; and get results by guaranteeing the message was interpreted correctly. Through a masterful use of stories and illustrations, Phillip Van Hooser shares six unique, power strategies for communicating when relationships and results are riding on your abilities.

Genres: Business

104 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2010

About the author

Phillip Van Hooser, MBA, CSP, CPAE is committed to helping organizations transform their business outcomes by transforming the talent of their people.

He is an award-winning keynote speaker and author on leadership, service and communication. His titles include Leaders Ought To Know: 11 Ground Rules for Common Sense Leadership and We Need to Talk: Building Trust When Communicating Gets Critical.

His popular customer service book, Willie’s Way: 6 Secrets for Wooing, Wowing and Winning Customers and Their Loyalty, re-releasing Sep 3, 2019, offers business leaders and frontline staff a chance to reconnect with the fundamentals of good sales and customer service.

In 2014, Phil started a non-profit initiative for the development of rural-area millennial leaders, Vision 2050. Calling it one of the most rewarding efforts he's ever been part of, Phil serves as advisor, leadership instructor, mentor and coach for 25 to 35 year olds seeking leadership growth and training.

Phil enjoys pheasant hunting, teaching his 7 grandkids some new trick or joke, and exploring diners and dives with his wife, Susan!

Connect with Phil on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Reviews

[Steven R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read Phil's work before, I knew this would be a good book, and I was not disappointed. Phil does a good job mixing real stories, down-to-earth, real-life examples and approaches, and well thought out lessons all stemming from an unfortunate morning. The six principles are both easy to understand and simple to implement. This should be required reading for anyone new to managing, but, frankly, the lessons apply whether you are managing people or not. Oh, one last thing: I hope to see the tie one day!

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, simple, and definitely to the point.

Using a visit to the pediatrician for stitches as the backdrop, Van Hooser sums up how to be a great communicator with 6 principles: talk *with* people, explain the process, tell the truth, work for understanding, get others involved, and do your job.

[Angela Caggiano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how short sweet and to the point this was. Really gets you thinking about how you advocate and express something truly alters the way people may perceive it