How to Listen and How to Be Heard: Inclusive Conversations at Work

by Alissa Carpenter

Overview

Named a Best Nonfiction Book of 2020 by Cosmopolitan!

For anyone who has ever felt their voice isn't heard at work. This is a guide on how to empower yourself and others to communicate with people who think, act, and experience things differently than you do, and do so with more confidence, candor, and authenticity.

Too often, people avoid difficult conversations; but these discussions often need to happen to bring people together so we can all succeed.

There’s no denying that our workplaces are more diverse than ever. Age, race, gender—there are so many different perspectives and experiences being brought to the table. And the best employees and leaders know that harnessing the power of these differences will build stronger teams, ideas, and organizations. But how do we do this? If we all think, feel, and act so differently, how do we get anything done?

The first step is recognizing that these differences exist. And that they’re here to stay. We need to respect and embrace our varied viewpoints, and then we can start to communicate across (not against) them.

How to Listen and How to be Heard shows you how to bridge the conversation gap and use your unique voice to start powerful conversations. This book is about learning how to communicate with, through, and alongside what makes us different. It’s about open dialogue and practical tools that get everyone on the same page—or at least in the same room. It’s not about quick fixes or the absence of conflict; it’s about working toward authentic communication in the workplace—for managers, employees, and colleagues from all fields. It’s about remembering that we’re all here to work together.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781632651631
Publisher:	Red Wheel/Weiser
Publication date:	05/11/2020
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	505,401
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Alissa Carpenter is a multigenerational workplace expert and owner of Everything’s Not Ok and That’s OK, where she provides training, consulting, and speaking services to organizations all over the world. Carpenter has delivered a TEDx talk on authentic workplace communication, and has been featured in media outlets including Forbes, ABC, FOX, and CNN Money.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction 1

Part 1 The Advantages of Our Differences

Chapter 1 Putting Our Strengths into Action 7

Chapter 2 Navigating the Multigenerational Workforce 19

Chapter 3 Having Real Conversations About Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging 37

Part II Communication Styles Matter

Chapter 4 Opening Communication, Breaking Down Silos 69

Chapter 5 Making the Most of In-Person Meetings 85

Chapter 6 Connecting a Virtual Workforce 99

Part III Change Is the Only Constant

Chapter 7 Breaking Through the Screen Barrier 115

Chapter 8 Communicating with Intention-Choosing a Medium 127

Chapter 9 Mixing Up Meetings and the Power of New Spaces 135

Part IV Be Comfortable with the Uncomfortable

Chapter 10 Working with Toxic People 153

Chapter 11 Turning Down Ideas, Not People 167

Chapter 12 Saying No and Setting Boundaries 175

Part V The Power of Relationship Building

Chapter 13 Being Present, Being Accessible 185

Chapter 14 Going Beyond the Small Talk 199

Chapter 15 Building a Culture of Trust 207

Chapter 16 Communicating Change and Embracing It 221

Humanizing Our Workplace Pledge 235

Notes 237

Index 240

Editorial Reviews

"How to Listen and How to Be Heard gets to the heart of communication issues at work. Using Alissa's techniques, your workplace will be more inclusive, creative, and productive."

Dorie Clark

"The working world is a more diverse place than ever before. Open dialogues are a must and lead to innovation and harmonious teams. Alissa Carpenter provides a guide to successful communication in the workplace."

Dan Schawbel

This must-read book teaches you an approach to handling difficult conversations and offers a roadmap to bring people together for more productive, human connections.”
 

Deirdre Breakenridge

If you want to become a more effective communicator follow Alissa’s valuable advice in How to Listen and How to Be Heard. You won’t regret the conversation that happens afterwards.”

Laura Vanderkam

04/24/2020

The globalization of almost every area of life has created unprecedented opportunities to engage with people of myriad backgrounds, opinions, beliefs, and perspectives. Communication in some ways has become easier in that nearly anyone can be reached instantaneously. But most of the difficulties in making that communication clear, meaningful, and effective still remain. Carpenter (owner of Everything's Not OK and That's OK, a training and consultation service) attempts to help individuals achieve more effective communication. Carpenter explores how to find advantages in differences, the importance of understanding that communication style matters, how to admit and embrace change as the only known constant, how to be comfortable with the uncomfortable, and the need to start with intentionality and purpose when building relationships. Chapters are short and engaging, geared toward both managers and employees, and Carpenter offers useful insight on starting tough conversations. VERDICT Many practical and actionable suggestions throughout the book make it a valuable read for anyone interested in working on their communication practices. Recommended for expanding business and self-help collections in the area of work-related communication.—Mark Hanson, Maranatha Baptist Univ. Lib., Watertown, WI

Library Journal