Simply Said

Master the art of communication to improve outcomes in any scenario
Simply Said is the essential handbook for business communication. Do you ever feel as though your message hasn't gotten across? Do details get lost along the way? Have tense situations ever escalated unnecessarily? Do people buy into your ideas? It all comes down to communication. We all communicate, but few of us do it well. From tough presentations to everyday transactions, there is no scenario that cannot be improved with better communication skills. This book presents an all-encompassing guide to improving your communication, based on the Exec|Comm philosophy: we are all better communicators when we focus focus less on ourselves and more on other people. More than just a list of tips, this book connects skills with scenarios and purpose to help you hear and be heard. You'll learn the skills to deliver great presentations and clear and persuasive messages, handle difficult conversations, effectively manage, lead with authenticity and more, as you discover the secrets of true communication.
Communication affects every interaction every day. Why not learn to do it well? This book provides comprehensive guidance toward getting your message across, and getting the results you want.
* Shift your focus from yourself to other people
* Build a reputation as a good listener
* Develop your written and oral communications for the greatest impact
* Inspire and influence others
* Communicate more effectively in any business or social situation
Did that email come across as harsh? Did you offend someone unintentionally? Great communication skills give you the power to influence someone's thinking and guide them to where you need them to be. Simply Said teaches you the critical skills that make you more effective in business and in life.

Jay Sullivan is an award-winning author and the Managing Partner at Exec|Comm, LLC. Whether coaching individuals one-on-one or working with groups, Jay helps professionals from global organizations have greater impact through communication. As a contributing writer on Forbes.com, he shares insights on leadership, communication, and careers. He wrote The Art of Communication column for the New York Law Journal. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Readers Digest, Parents Magazine, Catholic Digest, and The Golfer.

Introduction: Focus on Others xi Section One Your Content 1 Chapter 1 What Do You Mean by That? Conveying a Clear Message 3 Chapter 2 Once Upon a Time . . . Telling Engaging Stories 17 Chapter 3 A Place for Everything Organizing Your Content 23 Section Two Your Oral Communication Skills 39 Chapter 4 Stand Up and Stand Out Making the Most of Your Body Language 41 Chapter 5 Are You Just "Waiting to Talk"? Listening to Understand 65 Chapter 6 See It. Save It. Say It. Delivering from Notes and Visuals 87 Chapter 7 What If They Ask You Something You Don't Know? Responding to Questions 113 Section Three Your Written Communication Skills 125 Chapter 8 Challenge Every Word Editing for Clarity 129 Chapter 9 Form Follows Function Structuring Your Documents 146 Chapter 10 Make It Easy Creating Reader-Friendly Documents 154 Chapter 11 Hit Send with Confidence Writing Emails That Resonate 160 Section Four Your Interactions 171 Chapter 12 It's a Dialogue, Not a Monologue Conducting Effective Client Meetings 173 Chapter 13 You Can't Do It All Delegating Successfully 183 Chapter 14 Do You Have a Minute? Sharing Meaningful Feedback 192 Chapter 15 Raise Your Glass Giving Toasts 202 Chapter 16 Pass the Mic Handling Introductions 206 Chapter 17 The Possibilities Are Endless Facilitating Brainstorming Meetings 211 Section Five Your Leadership 217 Chapter 18 Inspire and Influence Leading Others 219 Chapter 19 From Invincibility to Authenticity Showing Vulnerability 231 About Exec|Comm 241 About the Author 243 Acknowledgments 245 Grammar Guidelines for Personal Pronouns 249 Video Resources 253 Index 255 Introduction: Focus on Others xi Section One Your Content 1 Chapter 1 What Do You Mean by That? Conveying a Clear Message 3 Chapter 2 Once Upon a Time . . . Telling Engaging Stories 17 Chapter 3 A Place for Everything Organizing Your Content 23 Section Two Your Oral Communication Skills 39 Chapter 4 Stand Up and Stand Out Making the Most of Your Body Language 41 Chapter 5 Are You Just "Waiting to Talk"? Listening to Understand 65 Chapter 6 See It. Save It. Say It. Delivering from Notes and Visuals 87 Chapter 7 What If They Ask You Something You Don't Know? Responding to Questions 113 Section Three Your Written Communication Skills 125 Chapter 8 Challenge Every Word Editing for Clarity 129 Chapter 9 Form Follows Function Structuring Your Documents 146 Chapter 10 Make It Easy Creating Reader-Friendly Documents 154 Chapter 11 Hit Send with Confidence Writing Emails That Resonate 160 Section Four Your Interactions 171 Chapter 12 It's a Dialogue, Not a Monologue Conducting Effective Client Meetings 173 Chapter 13 You Can't Do It All Delegating Successfully 183 Chapter 14 Do You Have a Minute? Sharing Meaningful Feedback 192 Chapter 15 Raise Your Glass Giving Toasts 202 Chapter 16 Pass the Mic Handling Introductions 206 Chapter 17 The Possibilities Are Endless Facilitating Brainstorming Meetings 211 Section Five Your Leadership 217 Chapter 18 Inspire and Influence Leading Others 219 Chapter 19 From Invincibility to Authenticity Showing Vulnerability 231 About Exec|Comm 241 About the Author 243 Acknowledgments 245 Grammar Guidelines for Personal Pronouns 249 Video Resources 253 Index 255