Communication is the backbone of successful professional relationships and organizational efficiency.
Don’t believe us? Let’s break it down using data:
- Teams who communicate effectively may increase their productivity1 https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/technology-media-and-telecommunications/our-insights/the-social-economy by as much as 25%.
- 97% of employees2 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/statistics-why-effective-communication-important- believe communication impacts their task efficacy on a daily basis.
- 80% of employees3https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/statistics-why-effective-communication-important- believe that employee communication is crucial in developing trust with their organization’s leaders.
- 86% of employees4 https://fierceinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/PR___2011_Workplace_Collaboration_Survey___Fierce_Inc__.pdf and executives cite lack of effective collaboration and communication as the main causes of workplace failures
- Poor communication5 https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252474850/Poor-comms-and-collaboration-tools-cost-UK-plc-over-7500-per-employee-per-year#:~:text=In%20the%20UK%20alone%2C%20poor,being%20wasted%2C%20the%20report%20said.?trk=article-ssr-frontend-pulse_little-text-block costs UK businesses an average of £7,675 per employee each year.
Convinced? Now, let’s dive into our top picks for communication books that will help you excel in your professional life.
The 10 Best Communication Skills Books
Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People by Vanessa Van Edwards
Goodreads Score: 4.13
What it’s about: We are a little biased on this one since Vanessa Van Edwards is our founder here at Science of People, but this is the ultimate communication book. Vanessa presents a science-based approach to social skills, breaking down human behavior into actionable steps. The book covers three stages of social interaction: the first five minutes, the first five hours, and the first five days. It includes specific nonverbal techniques as well as dives into a new approach to storytelling, networking and even speed-reading personality. It has a multitude of very unique and actionable communication tips.
Why you should read it: Feeling like a fish out of water at networking events? This book is your social skills cheat sheet. It’ll teach you how to work a room without feeling like a used car salesman and how to make small talk that doesn’t make you want to make a 180 and run. Plus, you’ll finally understand why your coworker Dave always stands weirdly close to you at the coffee machine.
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Goodreads Score: 4.21
What it’s about: This classic self-help book outlines principles for enhancing interpersonal relationships and influencing others. Carnegie presents techniques such as showing genuine interest in others, remembering and using people’s names, and making others feel important. The book also covers how to win people to your way of thinking and how to be a leader without arousing resentment.
Why you should read it: Sure, it’s older than your grandpa’s disco moves, but this book is still the gold standard of people skills. If you’ve ever wondered how some people seem to glide through life while everyone bends over backwards to help them, this book has the answers. Just don’t let the power go to your head, or you might find yourself trying to influence the office plant.
Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott
Goodreads Score: 4.07
What it’s about:
Kim Scott, a Silicon Valley veteran, introduces a revolutionary approach to leadership. She argues that great bosses master both caring personally about their team members and also challenging them directly.
Why you should read it:
If you’re tired of office politics that make “Game of Thrones” look tame, if you want to give feedback without making your employees cry (or plot your demise), and if you’re aiming to create a work culture that’s more “kumbaya” and less “Hunger Games,” this book is your ticket to becoming the boss everyone talks about at happy hour—in a good way!
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Goodreads Score: 4.21
What it’s about: This classic self-help book outlines principles for enhancing interpersonal relationships and influencing others. Carnegie presents techniques such as showing genuine interest in others, remembering and using people’s names, and making others feel important. The book also covers how to win people to your way of thinking and how to be a leader without arousing resentment.
Why you should read it: Sure, it’s older than your grandpa’s disco moves, but this book is still the gold standard of people skills. If you’ve ever wondered how some people seem to glide through life while everyone bends over backwards to help them, this book has the answers. Just don’t let the power go to your head, or you might find yourself trying to influence the office plant.
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss
Goodreads Score: 4.36
What it’s about: This book outlines nine effective principles for negotiation based on Voss’s career as an FBI hostage negotiator. It covers techniques like mirroring, labeling emotions, and creating the illusion of control. Voss introduces concepts such as “tactical empathy” and the “accusation audit” to handle high-stakes conversations.
Why you should read it: If your idea of negotiation is saying “pretty please” with puppy dog eyes, you need this book. Voss’s techniques will have you negotiating like a pro, whether you’re asking for a raise or trying to decide where to order lunch. Plus, the real-life FBI stories make you feel like you’re in an action movie. Win-win!
Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds by Carmine Gallo
Goodreads Score: 3.88
What it’s about: Gallo analyzes over 500 TED talks and interviews with TED speakers to distill nine common elements of powerful presentations. These include storytelling techniques, the ideal 18-minute presentation length, and methods for making complex ideas more accessible. The book also covers the importance of passion, practice, and mastering the art of delivery.
Why you should read it: If the thought of public speaking makes you want to hide under your desk, this book is your new best friend. It’s packed with tips to make your presentations less “please let this end” and more “standing ovation.” Whether you’re pitching to clients or just trying to get through a team meeting without putting everyone to sleep, these techniques will up your game. Who knows, you might even enjoy public speaking… well, on second thought, let’s not get crazy.
Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall B. Rosenberg
Goodreads Score: 4.34
What it’s about: Rosenberg presents a four-step communication process: observing without evaluating, identifying and expressing feelings, uncovering the needs behind those feelings, and making concrete requests to meet those needs. The book includes exercises for implementing these steps and discusses how to apply them in various personal and professional situations.
Why you should read it: Ever feel like you’re speaking a different language than your coworkers? This book is your Rosetta Stone. It’ll teach you how to express yourself without sounding like a jerk and how to listen without your eyes glazing over. Perfect for when you need to tell your boss their idea is terrible without getting fired, or when you want to resolve conflicts without resorting to passive-aggressive Post-it notes.
Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Goodreads Score: 3.98
What it’s about: The Heath brothers present six key qualities that make ideas “sticky”: simplicity, unexpectedness, concreteness, credibility, emotions, and stories (SUCCESs). They provide numerous case studies and examples to illustrate these principles, from urban legends to successful advertising campaigns. The book also addresses how to avoid the “Curse of Knowledge” when communicating ideas.
Why you should read it: If your brilliant ideas tend to fall flat in meetings, this book is your secret weapon. It’ll teach you how to make your messages stick like gum on a hot sidewalk. Whether you’re trying to sell a new project to your team or just get your roommate to finally do the dishes, these techniques will make your ideas impossible to ignore. Just don’t blame us when everyone starts coming to you for advice.
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain
Goodreads Score: 4.08
What it’s about: Cain explores the value of introversion in a culture that often prizes extroversion. She delves into the biology of temperament, the rise of the “Extrovert Ideal” in the 20th century, and how introverts can leverage their strengths in various settings. The book covers topics like the myth of charismatic leadership, the power of working alone, and how to navigate extrovert-oriented workplaces as an introvert.
Why you should read it: Tired of being told to “speak up more” in meetings? (Pro tip: nothing is wrong with you!) This book is your battle cry. It’ll show you how to harness your inner wallflower power and prove that you don’t need to be the loudest voice in the room to be heard. Plus, you’ll finally have a comeback for when your extroverted colleague asks why you’re not at the office karaoke night. Again.
Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication by Vanessa Van Edwards
What it’s about: Vanessa Van Edwards, the human behavior investigator who makes scientists look like rock stars, is back with a book that’s hotter than ever (sure, we’re a bit biased, but this book really is amazing). In “Cues,” she decodes the secret language of charisma, breaking down the nonverbal signals that make people magnetic, influential, and downright irresistible. It’s like learning to speak “cool” fluently, minus the embarrassing language tapes.
Why you should read it: If you’ve ever wondered why some people can charm the socks off a room while you’re still trying to remember how to make small talk, this book is your personal charisma coach. Van Edwards blends science and practical tips that’ll have you communicating like a pro in no time. You’ll learn how to read microexpressions faster than a teen scrolls through TikTok, master the art of the perfect handshake (yes, it’s a thing), and figure out why your attempts at looking confident sometimes make you look like you’re planning a heist—all in 97 bite-sized body language nuggets.
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini
Goodreads Score: 4.22
What it’s about: Cialdini outlines six key principles of influence: reciprocity, commitment and consistency, social proof, authority, liking, and scarcity. He explains how these principles are used in marketing, sales, and everyday interactions, and provides strategies for both using them ethically and defending against their misuse. The book includes numerous real-world examples and studies to illustrate these concepts.
Why you should read it: Ever wonder why you ended up buying that gym membership you never use? This book spills the tea on all the sneaky ways people get you to say “yes.” It’s like a magician revealing their tricks, except instead of pulling rabbits out of hats, you’ll learn how to pull agreements out of thin air. Just use your newfound powers responsibly, or you might find yourself accidentally becoming a cult leader.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on The Best Communication Skills Books
“Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People” by Vanessa Van Edwards stands out as the best communication book for professionals. Other top choices include “Crucial Conversations” by Patterson et al., “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss, “Talk Like TED” by Carmine Gallo, and “Nonviolent Communication” by Marshall B. Rosenberg. These books offer science-based strategies and practical techniques for effective communication in various professional settings.
Reading communication books can improve your career by enhancing your ability to negotiate, present ideas effectively, resolve conflicts, and build better relationships with colleagues and clients. Improved communication skills often lead to better job performance, increased leadership opportunities, and career advancement.
Yes, there are communication books specifically for introverts. “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain is a popular choice. It explores how introverts can leverage their strengths in various professional settings and provides strategies for navigating extrovert-oriented workplaces.
Improving communication skills through reading typically takes consistent practice over several weeks or months. While you can gain insights immediately from reading, applying the techniques and seeing significant improvement usually requires 3-6 months of conscious effort and practice in real-life situations.
Yes, communication books can help with public speaking anxiety. Books like “Talk Like TED” by Carmine Gallo offer specific techniques for improving public speaking skills and managing anxiety. Regular practice of these techniques, combined with gradual exposure to public speaking situations, can significantly reduce anxiety over time.
Communication books for professional settings often focus on workplace-specific scenarios such as negotiations, presentations, and team dynamics. Personal communication books may emphasize relationships and social interactions. However, many communication skills are transferable between personal and professional contexts.
Quick Tips for Making the Most of Communication Books
Before you dive into a book, check out these pointers:
- Don’t just read, do. Try out at least one new technique from each chapter in real life.
- Keep a journal or use an app to track your progress and insights.
- Find a communication buddy to practice with and hold each other accountable.
- Record yourself applying new skills and watch it back. Cringe-worthy? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely.
- Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is stellar communication. Be patient with yourself, whether you’re an awkward duckling or expert communicator.
Ready to take your communication skills from “meh” to “marvel-worthy”? Check out our article on 10 Effective Ways You Can Improve Your Communication Skills for even more tips and tricks to supercharge your social superpowers.
Article sources
- https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/technology-media-and-telecommunications/our-insights/the-social-economy
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/statistics-why-effective-communication-important-
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/statistics-why-effective-communication-important-
- https://fierceinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/PR___2011_Workplace_Collaboration_Survey___Fierce_Inc__.pdf
- https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252474850/Poor-comms-and-collaboration-tools-cost-UK-plc-over-7500-per-employee-per-year#:~:text=In%20the%20UK%20alone%2C%20poor,being%20wasted%2C%20the%20report%20said.?trk=article-ssr-frontend-pulse_little-text-block
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