5 Best Books You Should Read To Improve Your Communication

Cultivating the ability to communicate effectively takes practice and effort. Whether you’re talking or writing, you need to be clear about what you want to say to prevent ambiguity and confusion. In organizations, clear communication is a leadership essential, and a lack of this skill can affect your growth adversely. Fortunately, we live in an age of unlimited resources. Books are a repository of knowledge and strategies to enhance your communication skills. There are hundreds to choose from but to get you started, we have curated a list of five of the best books on communication that will help you communicate better and strengthen your leadership and people skills. As you will see, each book will address a different communication need. 

The 5 Best Books on Communication

1. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

The fact that this book was published in 1936 makes it a timeless classic in the self-help genre. It is regarded as one of the best-selling books of all time, having sold more than 30 million copies. This book primarily focuses on being a good listener and understanding what the other person has to say while being mindful and considerate. Moreover, Carnegie also emphasizes developing an interest in people’s experience and their words. He says that people will listen to your advice if they like you and believe you like them too. Also, the major takeaway from this book is that if you want to be a good communicator, you need to be a good listener. 

What Makes this Book Unique: It helps every kind of professional enhance their communication skills.

Goodreads rating: 4.21 

2. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

The book was published in 1997, yet the book only seems to grow in relevance over time. The Power of Now is therapeutic and invites you to self-reflect and be in the present. As the name suggests, the importance of being in the now is highlighted throughout the book. One often tends to be reactive in difficult situations rather than respond in a measured way. The problem is that the motivation is generally anxiety, fear, or ruminating thoughts. 

What Makes this Book Unique: It helps you separate your reactions to difficult situations and provides a solution-based approach that is rooted in staying in the now.

Goodreads rating: 4.15

3. Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler

Published in 2002, Crucial Conversations is a book that has helped millions of people go through crucial conversations. If you are someone who often finds yourself in the middle of an argument or a difficult conversation, this book might be for you. This book gives you practical tips on how to deal with such scenarios. 

What Makes this Book Unique: The truth is always bitter. But conveying it doesn’t have to be, and that’s the key that this book offers.

Goodreads rating: 4.05

4. Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

Having clear boundaries is essential for a healthy, balanced lifestyle. A boundary is a personal property line that marks our responsibilities. The authors answer tough questions about setting limits and why it is essential to clearly define boundaries in your personal life, workplace, and even with yourself. 

What Makes this Book Unique: It clearly defines the various types of boundaries in communication or situations and removes the guilt and hesitation many feel about setting boundaries and sticking to them.

Goodreads rating: 4.19

5. Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Non-Violent Communication by Oren Jay Sofer

The most recently published book in this list, Say What You Mean, is life-changing when it comes to communication. The author formulates a method called NVC (Non-Violent Communication) using the combination of mindfulness with modality. NVC has three steps in the book: 

1. Presence
2. Intention
3. Attention

Along with these steps, some practical exercises help you improve your communication and make it more effective. 

What Makes this Book Unique: It is a step-by-step guide to monitor and assess your communication skills! 

Goodreads rating: 4.21

Reading the best books on communication and enhancing your skills through insightful online courses are both forms of learning. Today’s hybrid work environment allows for constant upskilling and reskilling, and we’re here to help you with our diverse portfolio of career-enhancing online courses. Check them out! 

By Siddhesh Shinde

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