Communication skills are essential in leading, managing and working with others. The aim of this book is to help you to improve your competencies and capability in the art of practical communication.

Great leaders and great managers are all effective communicators, both one on one and in larger groups, using the written or spoken word as appropriate. Unless you can get your message across and take on board what others are trying to tell you, then you simply will not be effective as a leader or manager.

To be a good communicator, you need to develop your personal communication skills, your ability to lead communication groups and your effectiveness in the downwards, upwards and sideways flows of information and ideas in organizations.

You need to develop your understanding of the nature of communication and the four skills of speaking, listening, writing and reading, particularly as they are used in presentations, meetings, interviews and all forms of communicating in organizations.

The book is divided into Parts and then into Ideas. Each Idea stands alone, carrying its unique message. It is up to you to choose where you begin and end. Read according to your own learning needs and interests.

And don’t be afraid to write on the book – it won’t mind! Underline or mark any passages that are important to you personally in terms of your own awareness, understanding and skill.

This book will give you guidance not only on when to communicate and why it should be done, but also how it should be done. It is concerned with skills in a wide sense, namely the methods you must practise in order to achieve your desired aim of becoming a better communicator.

More than that, I hope that one or two Ideas in this book inspire you to become passionate about communication. After all, communication – in the form of love – is what makes our world go round.

The set of questions at the end of each Part are designed to help you to apply in practise what you have learned – or relearned – in reading and reflecting on the Ideas. The test of the book is the extent to which it leads you to become a more effective communicator. Will others notice a difference?

I do hope you enjoy reading the book and find it useful and profitable. I have certainly enjoyed writing it.

John Adair