Words That Work In Business: A Practical Guide to Effective Communication in the Workplace

by Ike Lasater, Julie Stiles (Contributor)

Addressing the most common workplace relationship challenges, this manual shows how to use the principles of Nonviolent Communication to improve the workplace atmosphere. Offering practical tools that match recognizable work scenarios, this guide can help all employees positively affect their work relationships and company culture, regardless of their position. This handbook displays proven communication skills for effectively handling difficult conversations, reducing workplace conflict and stress, improving individual and team productivity, having more effective meetings, and giving and receiving meaningful feedback, thereby creating a more enjoyable work environment.

Genres: Business, Communication, Nonfiction, Psychology, Personal Development

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2010

Reviews

[Candida Stamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really good. It gives a different perspective on NVC while still following the same structure. I learned a lot from it that will be very useful in my job and my life in general. It was very easy to read and I loved the practice exercises.

[Robert Kipa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is short and dense enough to warrant a read-through for anyone interested in applying NVC across all areas of life. I greatly appreciated the practical examples and appendices, especially the “Evaluations Masquerading as Feelings” list.

That being said, ironically I was both grateful for the concision and left wanting more. I can’t quite put my finger on what was missing for me. It could be that I’m just itching for practice in the real and messy world - something a book can never provide.

EDIT: I now realize what was missing for me. A friend recommended this book to me when I brought up the topic of skillfully interrupting people - sometimes it simply must be done.

Unfortunately when I read the page and a half or so on the topic, plus the example from the author’s life, I felt frustrated because my need for a solution to the conundrum, and overall clarity, was not met.

What I read in the example did not match to what had been presented in the paragraphs that preceded it - asking a moderator “what, of all that these people have said, has been helpful in this discussion?” versus directly communicating with the “offending” long-winded or off-topic individuals.

[Devon · Rating 5 out of 5]

great primer on non-violent communication with a focus on the workplace

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent description of Nonviolent Communication, and in particular on how to learn it and use it in the workplace.

[Phu Chanchieovichai · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not so practical

[Takia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cant wait.

[Josh]

made it to page 22 & it was complete bullshit. not even worth putting any more time into it

[Cp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great guidance on how to start applying NVC principles at work.

[Melodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

not a lot more than Nonviolent Communication

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't read it cover to cover due to a short loan period, instead concentrated on the background and later chapters for specific issues. It was a quick read, easy to follow, and focuses on the reader practicing self NCV to help with work communication. I don't want to give it 5 stars because I didn't read completely but it certainly had sound advice on some specific scenarios I was looking for.

I recommend it for anyone struggling with communication at work and wanting to find ways to use NVC tools to help them.

[Mark Manderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great quick read.
Top take aways:
Self empathy helps observing the situation and distinguishing that from our judgment of it which allows us to understand what need was not being met. 
Work on Observations instead of judgements, Feelings instead of evaluations masquerading as feelings, Needs vs strategies, and Requests instead of demands. 
You get what you see when you label through judgment.