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In a senior role, effective communication becomes more important. One of the best books I've read about how to communicate effectively is http://www.amazon.com/

by thruflo 12y ago

In a senior role, effective communication becomes more important. One of the best books I've read about how to communicate effectively is http://www.amazon.com/The-Pyramid-Principle-Writing-Thinking/dp/0273710516 http://www.amazon.com/The-Pyramid-Principle-Writing-Thinking... It introduces a specific method to write concise, effective business documents. Then it shows how you can use the method to critique your own thinking.

robinwarren 12y ago
I'd second this book. I've just finished it and am writing up a synopsis for my blog. It's been useful for improving my own writing and I intend to use the processes laid out to assess decisions made by others in future.
fjordan 12y ago
On a related note, this book (http://www.treesmapsandtheorems.com/ http://www.treesmapsandtheorems.com/) is excellent. The author approaches communication from the principle of Gestalt psychology and really helps one understand how our minds communicate.
Denzel 12y ago
Yes, I can't recommend this book enough. Throughout my career, I've come into contact with a number of consultants from Harvard/MIT, Bain, McKinsey, etc. They all had a way of communicating ideas so clearly and effectively that I could understand exactly what they were saying, almost immediately. There was virtually no loss of information between what they spoke and what I heard. The ideas and thoughts all just flowed into my brain painlessly. I aspired to communicate as well as these people, but I just couldn't figure out the formula. Finally, one late night, sitting across from my managing director (the leader of a prestigious boutique pharma-consulting firm), I asked him rather bluntly, "How did you learn to speak so well?" He gave me a rather blank stare, and thought for a little while. "Ah!" he exclaimed, jumping up from his desk and darting over to his bookcase. After a little rummaging, lo and behold, he pulled out an old copy of the Pyramid Principle. I leafed through the book and found a number of notes and highlights as he explained to me that what I held was the single most influential book he'd ever read. He told me to read it, not as a way to structure presentations or emails (although it helps there), but as a new lifestyle. Fold the ideas and principles into your very being, so as to become second nature, and you'll never have trouble communicating again. It's a must-read book.
- avenger123 12y ago
  +1. What a great endorsement for the book. Your two paragraphs capture so much and in such a delightful way that it's hard not to want to buy the book.

by thruflo 12y ago

robinwarren 12y ago

I'd second this book. I've just finished it and am writing up a synopsis for my blog. It's been useful for improving my own writing and I intend to use the processes laid out to assess decisions made by others in future.

fjordan 12y ago

On a related note, this book (http://www.treesmapsandtheorems.com/ http://www.treesmapsandtheorems.com/) is excellent. The author approaches communication from the principle of Gestalt psychology and really helps one understand how our minds communicate.

Denzel 12y ago

Yes, I can't recommend this book enough. Throughout my career, I've come into contact with a number of consultants from Harvard/MIT, Bain, McKinsey, etc. They all had a way of communicating ideas so clearly and effectively that I could understand exactly what they were saying, almost immediately. There was virtually no loss of information between what they spoke and what I heard. The ideas and thoughts all just flowed into my brain painlessly. I aspired to communicate as well as these people, but I just couldn't figure out the formula. Finally, one late night, sitting across from my managing director (the leader of a prestigious boutique pharma-consulting firm), I asked him rather bluntly, "How did you learn to speak so well?" He gave me a rather blank stare, and thought for a little while. "Ah!" he exclaimed, jumping up from his desk and darting over to his bookcase. After a little rummaging, lo and behold, he pulled out an old copy of the Pyramid Principle. I leafed through the book and found a number of notes and highlights as he explained to me that what I held was the single most influential book he'd ever read. He told me to read it, not as a way to structure presentations or emails (although it helps there), but as a new lifestyle. Fold the ideas and principles into your very being, so as to become second nature, and you'll never have trouble communicating again. It's a must-read book.

avenger123 12y ago
+1. What a great endorsement for the book. Your two paragraphs capture so much and in such a delightful way that it's hard not to want to buy the book.