The Seven Best Books On Business Communication For Professionals

Communication skills are undoubtedly crucial to survive today’s cutthroat corporate environment. Without effective communication, you cannot understand relationship building, the art of persuasion, goal accomplishment, or the ability of effective and clear communication of your ideas. These matter to any individual regardless of where that person stands in their career. The following seven books offer insight into impactful corporate communication strategies and confident speaking ability to further your career.

Dale Carnegie's “How to Win Friends and Influence People”

The book title says it all. This book by Dale Carnegie is a work of art and rightfully ranks number one on this list. Dale Carnegie published it in 1936, and it became an instant success. For decades, it has helped millions of people develop and improve their communication and interpersonal skills. It is a classic and evergreen book for anyone willing to become a better communicator in the workplace.

Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler, “Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High”

“Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High” by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler provides an outline to manage complex and critical discussions where emotions could go out of control. These four talented authors offer brilliant advice on managing challenging situations, communicating effectively, nurturing understanding, and delivering brilliantly. Professionals looking to improve their ability to handle tough conversations, confidently communicate, and plant their ideas in others can get the most out of this book.

Chip Heath and Dan Heath's “Made to Stick: Why Some Concepts Survive and Others Die”

Siblings Chip and Dan Heath explore how some ideas stick and convince others in this remarkable book “Designed to Stick: Why Some Concepts Survive and Others Die.” It includes six characteristics of ideas that stick with helpful advice to improve effectiveness and “sticking” of communications. They base these characteristics on substantial research and real-life experiences. Impactful communication is one ability you can learn and harness when you read this awesome book.

Chris Voss, “Never Split the Difference: Negotiating Like Your Life Depended on It”

This book is an interesting choice because the author Chris Voss is a former FBI hostage negotiator. Do not be fooled because such individuals are experienced at managing stressful situations, establishing relationships, understanding and empathizing with others, and getting to common ground in high-pressure situations. Therefore, this book can teach you all that and more. You could become an excellent negotiator and communicator with utmost confidence.

Robert B. Cialdini, “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion”

Robert B. Cialdini, in his book “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion,” explores the art of persuasion and outlines six distinctive principles of decision-forming in people. He is a psychologist and explains how to be a better influencer and communicator through these principles. Communication is key to winning the hardest negotiations, and you could truly benefit from this remarkable book in that respect.

 Carmine Gallo's book, “Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World's Greatest Minds,”

If you have made it to a TED talk as a speaker, you are considered an influencer because when you talk, people listen. This is where Carmine Gallo’s insightful book, “Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World's Greatest Minds” comes in. Gallo looks at several highly-regarded TED speakers and uncovers their communication techniques. He has gone through and studied easily over hundred TED talks to teach you how to be a master public speaker in any situation and deliver engaging and convincing presentations. You can learn from the absolute best speakers in the world by reading the book, and that should be enough reason to pick up this book.

Kim Scott's book “Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity”

Kim Scott’s management style is established on offering personal care and direct challenges. Therefore, you can build an environment of honest and direct communication aimed at creating lasting bonds with team members. Read it to be an effective team player and communicator.

All of these seven books highlight different communication areas, and you should read them all to be an effective and all-around communicator. Hopefully, these will make the difference the next time you have to present your ideas in a challenging situation.

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