Do you struggle to start conversations with people you don’t know? Are you afraid to say the wrong thing and make a fool of yourself in front of others? Do you find it challenging to make new friends, network for clients, negotiate a better deal, or ask for a raise?
What if I told you that there are definitive steps that you can take to overcome these limitations, forge invaluable relationships, advance your career, and achieve your full potential—all without losing yourself in the process? You’ll be able to change the perspectives that hold you back, elevate your social skills, boost your charisma, and truly change your life.
No more awkward silences or running out of things to say. No more misreading people or situations and losing out on social engagements, romantic prospects, or professional opportunities. You’ve got the tools of great communicators in your hands.
My name is Dale Young, and over the two decades that I’ve been involved in media, communications, and public relations, I’ve experienced my fair share of difficult clients, belligerent interviewees, instances of cross-cultural faux pas, emotionally-charged debates, high-stakes business negotiations, and public relations crises.
Beyond that, I struggled with crippling social awkwardness, which dogged me from childhood until I was well into my professional life. I had to learn how to break free of my biases, overcome conversational clumsiness, and change my perspective and approach to communication in order to find growth and success in life. And this is the reason I wrote this guide: I wanted to provide a comprehensive, step-by-step blueprint that cuts through the noise and focuses on immediately usable knowledge that anyone can use.
Now, you can get past your social fears and build your confidence using dozens of actionable strategies and hands-on lessons for each stage of communication.
When you pick up this book, here’s a fraction of what you’ll learn:
- The three prerequisites you need to be a great communicator
- How to stop blanking and running out of things to say
- The secret to keeping people engaged in communication (it’s probably not what you think)
- Four simple tactics to quickly build rapport
- Eight communication pitfalls you should avoid if you want to be truly likable
- How to initiate conversations and use small talk to connect with anyone, anytime
- How to get someone to like you by asking them to do you a favor
- Exact phrases, responses, and questions that elicit the best reactions from others
- How to read people and know what verbal and nonverbal cues to look for
- Tactics to network on your own terms—even if you’re an introvert
- How to deal with difficult people and save a conversation that’s gone sideways
- How to effectively structure your stories so people stay hooked and don’t get bored
- How to be funny, witty, and charming
In addition, this book provides deeper resources for learning and practice, including:
- Guided practical exercises to practice specific skills and techniques
- Practical exercises for both solo practice and practice with a conversation partner
- In-depth explanations and example on how to adapt techniques for your individual situation
- Real-world examples taken from my own work with clients and students
- Tips for creating opportunities to practice conversation skills with other, going from low-stakes to higher stakes
With this book in your hands, you’ll have a roadmap full of hard-earned tips, tricks, and advice to put you on the fast track to successful communication. Start your journey to a world of exciting conversations, powerful connections, and meaningful relationships.