Why Didn't You Say That in the First Place? How to Be Understood at Work

Welcome to the Information Age...an age in which miraculous machines help us communicate at lightning speed with people throughout an office, throughout a corporation and throughout the world. Never before have the avenues of expression at our disposal been so immediate, so far-reaching or so varied. But as surely as these technological marvels heighten our ability to inform and interact, so do they increase the chances for costly miscommunication.In Why Didn't You Say That in the First Place?, Richard Heyman breaks the business communications barrier that leads to unnecessary misunderstandings. Drawing on his academic background in conversation analysis and his real-world experience addressing business communication problems, Heyman provides a practical, hands-on method of making sure what you meant to say is clearly understood by all.Here, in lively, down-to-earth language, Heyman explains how to- Overcome the ambiguities of language and use our skills as both speaker and listener to create shared meaning,- Rise above stereotypes and use strategic talk to communicate with everyone at work,- Learn to systematically use questions, examples, and paraphrasing in everyday conversations,- Build a workplace culture that encourages people to say, without fear, "I don't understand."Using anecdotes, checklists, and examples taken from actual organizational transcripts as learning tools, this book gives you the power to ensure that your point -- whether spoken or written -- always comes across loud and, most importantly, clear.Heyman, Richard is the author of 'Why Didn't You Say That in the First Place? How to Be Understood at Work', published 1994 under ISBN 9781555426538 and ISBN 1555426530.