Ms. Headlee opens this book with this reality – “We don’t talk to each other but at each other, and we don’t usually listen.” Then she offers some valuable math – poor communication costs us about $37 billion a year. That’s roughly $26,000 per worker! (Research on companies of more than 100, so the number is likely much higher) – and a few reality checks – In 2010, we sent 105 billion emails. In 2020 (she’s guessing, the book is written in 2018), 246 billion. I’m guessing that went even higher with the pandemic.
The rise in technology has led to the decline in empathy, emails and text messages allow us to retain control and distance as we edit our words carefully and retain our messages as evidence and justification.
Have I hooked you yet? This is a good read because she weaves stories in with practical approaches to conversations of all kinds, especially the hard ones. Her strategies aren’t new – it’s the thoughtful approach she brings that will feel refreshing and available.
Buy on Amazon or at your local bookseller
Judy Hissong, CLM
Judy Hissong is the President of Nesso Strategies. A former law firm Chief Operating Officer, she helps firms become more profitable by advising leaders in strategic and leadership development challenges. Her mission is “world domination for Good.” By creating actionable, lightbulb moments that leaders want to share and spread, she intends to improve the world one person at a time. When she’s not speaking, training and consulting, Judy teaches quarterly online workshops and facilitates Leaders Lab, a monthly video conference that enables small groups of leaders to brainstorm strategies and solutions to work through common issues that keep firms stuck. Learn more at www.nessostrategies.com.
