Communication Archives

How to Use the Contrast Effect Bias to Be More Persuasive

What made John F. Kennedy such an effective communicator? How might you use the same techniques? If you want to influence people, you must understand what makes them tick. In How Highly Effective People Speak, Peter D. Andrei shows how to take advantage of cognitive biases to persuade people. One of these is the contrast effect bias. Continue reading to see how using the contrast effect in your communication is one of the most effective ways to improve your rhetorical skills.

How to Be an Adult in Relationships by David Richo: Overview

What’s “mindful loving”? Do you want a long-lasting, healthy, and fulfilling love? In How to Be an Adult in Relationships, David Richo says the secret to a stable relationship is mindful loving. It’s a compassionate, realistic approach to love based on the Buddhist practice of mindfulness. Read below for a brief overview of How to Be an Adult in Relationships.

Confident Body Language 101: Master the Nonverbal Cues

Want to learn how to have more confident body language? What kind of body language expresses confidence? In the quest for confidence, understanding the secrets of body language can be your greatest ally. Renowned communication experts Allan and Barbara Pease reveal the key to unlocking confident body language in their book, The Definitive Book of Body Language. Read on to learn the basics of expressing confident body language, according to Allan and Barbara Pease.

How to Use the Availability Heuristic to Make Your Message Stick

Does it feel like, when you speak, what you say goes in one ear and out the other? Would you like to communicate messages that people will remember? The availability heuristic is a cognitive bias that has a dark side and a bright side. Peter D. Andrei accentuates the positive and shows how to make the most of it. He shares strategies to take advantage of the availability bias: use compelling narratives, convey simple messages, and employ imagery. Keep reading to learn how to use the availability heuristic to make your communication unforgettable.

Why Nonverbal Behavior Matters & How to Interpret It

Why is learning how to read nonverbal behavior important? How can you correctly interpret nonverbal cues? In The Definitive Book of Body Language by Allan and Barbara Pease, the authors emphasize that up to 80% of how others perceive us is based on our nonverbal behavior. They argue that this makes it crucial to understand and interpret nonverbal cues correctly. Read on to learn about nonverbal behavior and how to interpret it, according to Allan and Barbara Pease.

You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters

What’s the difference between simply hearing and effectively listening? What are you missing by not listening well? Kate Murphy’s You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters makes a case for the value of listening more effectively. She argues that people are struggling to pay attention to each other, largely thanks to our self-centered culture, technological distractions, and a toxic political atmosphere. Continue reading for an overview of this important book.

How Highly Effective People Speak: Overview & Takeaways

How can understanding cognitive biases help you communicate more effectively? Is it okay to take advantage of these flawed perceptions in others? In How Highly Effective People Speak, Peter D. Andrei shares the basic strategies of powerful communication. He teaches you how to speak with eloquence and persuasion—not by simply repeating platitudes, but by diving into what makes them true and how they make communication more effective. Continue reading for an overview of this book that can make you a more effective person.

3 Benefits of Listening in Relationships: How Minds Sync Up

Do you experience loneliness? Would you like to be able to trust more—and get others to put more trust in you? In You’re Not Listening, Kate Murphy explains that effective listening creates empathic connections between people. She explores three core benefits of these empathic connections, whether they’re in the context of friendships, romantic relationships, or parenting. Keep reading to learn the three benefits of listening in relationships.

Why Is Body Language Important? The 3 Key Reasons

Why is body language important? What are the three major reasons? In The Definitive Book of Body Language, Allan and Barbara Pease delve into the captivating world of nonverbal cues. The authors explain the profound impact body language can have on your emotions, interpersonal relationships, and overall communication skills. Read on to learn three main reasons why body language is important, according to Allan and Barbara Pease.

How to Use Feedback to Improve Performance: Tips to Excel

What would you like to get better at? Do you regularly ask for feedback? What types of feedback do you find most helpful? Workplace performance psychologist Ron Friedman wants you to find creative success. In his book Decoding Greatness, he shows how good feedback is part of the equation. He discusses what makes feedback good, how you should ask for it, and how to be receptive to it. Read on to learn how to use feedback to improve performance.