Early in my career I struggled with communication
Early in my career I struggled with communication.
I found these books helpful:
- How to Win Friends and Influence People
- Crucial Conversations
- Resonate
- Presentation Zen
I also started writing often via blogging and Twitter.
But the single thing that helped me most was speaking at user groups and conferences.
Speaking didn’t just improve my communication. Speaking forced me to learn quickly so I wouldn’t waste people’s time or embarrass myself. And it gave me the confidence to be assertive and persuasive even when the stakes are high.
Oh another good short book on writing:
“Nobody Wants to Read Your Shit”
Summary:
1) Streamline your message. Focus it and pare it down to its simplest, clearest, easiest-to-understand form.
2) Make its expression fun. Or sexy. Or interesting. Or scary. Or informative. Make it so compelling that a person would have to be crazy NOT to read it.
3) Apply that to all forms of writing or art or commerce.
The reader donates his time and attention, which are supremely valuable commodities. In return, you the writer must give him something worthy of his gift to you.
Also, this short blog post is fantastic advice.
“The Day You Became A Better Writer”
https://dilbertblog.typepad.com/the_dilbert_blog/2007/06/the_day_you_bec.html