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Communication in the workplace is what we all do, day in and day out. our ability to communicate with colleagues makes the difference between people taking us seriously, doing what we ask (without too much hassle), and our ability to influence others.
You are reading: Books on communication in the workplace
so it’s worth spending some time thinking about how to improve your communication skills for work. books are a great way to learn different techniques and see how others use your skills.
These are my suggestions for the best books on communication in the workplace.
1. crucial conversations: tools to speak when the stakes are high
kerry patterson, joseph grenny, ron mcmillan, al switzler (mcgraw-hill)
with over 5 million copies sold and thousands of reviews on amazon, this one is probably on your manager’s shelf by now.
You might think from the title that it’s just about having difficult conversations at work with other people, but there’s also a section on how to respond when someone starts a crucial conversation with you; it’s always better to think about how you might react!
Be sure to get the latest edition of this book as it has been updated to reflect communication through digital tools.
Ideal for: learning to keep a conversation on track, even when it doesn’t go your way
2. message not received: why business communication is interrupted and how to fix it
phil simon (wiley)
My copy of this book is well-thumbed and fact-filled and well-researched. Simon focuses on making sure he understands how to translate the jargon into words that people can actually understand and use.
The section on life beyond email is still relevant, but your workplace may feel collaborative in different ways since the pandemic that began in 2020.
Best for: understanding why workplace communication fails and what you can do about it
3. shut up and listen: communication with impact
theo theobald and cary cooper (palgrave macmillan)
This book will help you understand the kind of communicator you are. It covers listening, persuasion, reading, writing, and speaking, but probably more about writing than any other type of communication. given how much we type to communicate at work, that’s probably a good thing.
The book’s chapter on “tool rules” feels a bit dated now, but the vast majority of the book is solid, practical style advice that will help you communicate with confidence.
ideal for: practical advice on how to do it
4. we can talk? seven principles for handling difficult conversations at work
roberta chinsky matuson (kogan page)
This book describes how to create the right conditions for meaningful and valuable discussion, even when the stakes are high and workplace conversations are complicated. includes examples and advice from people who have handled difficult conversations and made it out the other side (as well as examples of people who didn’t).
Consider this book your guide to preparing for, starting, and having those tough conversations at work.
ideal for: preparing for difficult conversations
5. human-centered communication: a business case against digital pollution
ethan beute and stephen pacinelli (green leaf)
If you spend a lot of time on Zoom or Microsoft computers, you’ll be familiar with virtual work. the noise from these platforms can distract from the meaningful conversations we need to have at work.
This book argues that the only way to build relationships and secure revenue for the organization is to be more intentional and personal. The authors provide guidance on how to do this with a variety of colleagues, stakeholders, and clients so you can be more successful with communication in your workplace.
Best for: learning to be clearer and more confident in a virtual environment
6. neurodiversity at work: drive innovation, performance and productivity with a neurodiverse workforce
theo smith and amanda kirby (kogan page)
This is not strictly a book about workplace communication, but it is a book about people and how to make sure your workplace is accessible to everyone.
Often, the way we communicate keeps some people from doing their best work because the workplace isn’t set up to support different ways of working and thinking. this book opened my eyes to the needs of my colleagues. I hope I have become a better communicator.
ideal for: understanding various communication needs
7. how to fix meetings: meet less, focus on results and get things done
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graham allcott and hayley watts (icon books)
A lot of communication in the workplace takes place in meetings, so it’s worth taking a little time to understand how to get the most out of them. In short, Allcott and Watts recommend having fewer meetings and provide techniques and strategies to help you achieve this.
If you find yourself in back-to-back meetings all day, this book will give you back some time a week by helping you rethink how you use your time.
Includes the best meeting agenda template I’ve ever seen, so it will definitely help you communicate meeting expectations effectively!
Ideal for: organizing effective meetings
8. Ultimate Presentations: Master the art of making fantastic presentations and captivating employers
jay surti (kogan page)
I have read many books on presentation techniques. this one is really comprehensive and covers using presentation skills for job interviews and speaking on the phone, as well as presentations at work, like pitches, and on a “big” stage.
I found the book easy to read and learned some tips.
ideal for: communicating through presentations of all kinds
9. effective communication at work: speaking and writing well in the modern workplace
vicki mcleod (rockridge press)
This book explains why it’s important to communicate well at work (doh), speak and write professionally, and how communication helps you build relationships in the workplace and connect with others. There are built-in self-assessment tools to help you understand his and your company’s own communication style.
ideal for: a general introduction to communication at work
10. the first minute: how to start conversations that get results
chris fenning (lineup group)
You’ll know that first impressions happen in an instant, and how you start a conversation matters, too. I know that stumbling over the first few sentences of a phone call puts me at a disadvantage throughout the discussion, so getting it right from the start makes all the difference in how confidently you can speak to others.
We also spend a fair amount of time talking to busy people – senior executives and colleagues who don’t have time to listen to nonsense. learn how to get to the point with this book by focusing on action in your communication.
ideal for: learning to prepare and get to the point quickly
11. how to write clearly: write with a purpose, reach your reader and make your meaning crystal clear
tom albrighton (abc business communications)
There are no secrets, tricks, or shortage of writing books, but this one is good. it is reassuringly simple and I appreciate the recognition of the fact that the language has changed. we need to use the right words to explain new ideas and engage with our readers.
This is a clear and easy to read (unsurprisingly) book on business writing that focuses on clear thinking as the engine of being understood.
best for: improving your written communication
12. mastering communication at work: how to lead, manage and influence
ethan f. becker and jon wortmann
Be sure to get the latest edition of this bestseller as it has been updated for virtual teams. if you lead a virtual team in any capacity, communication will be how you spend most of your day.
This book is aimed at leaders and aims to help them develop a communication style that is strategic yet actionable. in other words, how to help your team do their best work without getting in their way with hard-to-understand instructions.
ideal for: team leaders and managers
13. surrounded by idiots: the 4 types of human behavior and how to communicate effectively with each one in business (and in life)
thomas erikson
This book was recommended to me, and it’s not one I want to leave on my desk at work!
If you’re having a hard time making yourself understood and can’t connect with your colleagues, then this book is for you. presents a simple way to assess personalities and will help you identify four personality types. Once you understand which personality type your difficult colleague is most like, you’ll be able to adjust the way you communicate to be more effective.
There are also tips on body language and team dynamics, making this a very useful book for people who work with teams at work.
best for: finding common ground with your colleagues if you can’t seem to get your message across
14. simply said: communicate better at work and beyond
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jay sullivan (wiley)
This is a fairly old book now, but it’s still popular. it’s packed with guidance and tips to help you get your message across. the underlying point of the book is that if you focus on your audience and not on yourself, you can be a more powerful communicator. It’s not rocket science, and many of the titles on this list of workplace communication books share that message.
However, this book may be a good fit for you and is a good introduction to making sure your messages get across at work.
ideal for: understanding how to present complex messages
15. how to own the room
viv groskop (bantam press)
Because the author is a comedian, this book is funny, meaningful, and will change the way you think about showing up to speak in any situation. covers creating presence, pace, speaking with conviction, and more, using famous women to highlight communication skills anyone can develop.
Get the latest version as it includes a section on “owning the zoom” which is a crucial skill for people who spend a lot of time in virtual meetings.
Best for: people who want to communicate at work without anxiety
16. you just don’t understand: women and men conversing
deborah tannen (william morrow)
This book is definitely old now, but it was a New York Times bestseller and one of the most influential books on my reading list in college. I remember bits and pieces now, many years later, and unfortunately most of what I remember still happens in conversations in the workplace. women are still more interrupted than men, for example.
This is a classic book, and while it’s not specifically about work, it will help you understand some of the language differences you see with your colleagues so you can recognize, manage, and sometimes point out what’s going on when men and women talk together.
ideal for: understanding communication styles between men and women
17. be present: get noticed at work (and at home) by managing your social presence
jeanine w turner (georgetown university press)
This book on communication at work introduces the interesting idea that we are now communicating in multiple directions. As a parent who often tries to respond to a child, have a conversation with my spouse, and send some other type of phone message at the same time, I know what you mean!
The book will help you understand the challenges of professional communications when we are “always on” and there is no disruption to the virtual environment. the author helps you understand the options for a healthier relationship with online communication so you understand your communication options and how to apply them.
It’s full of tips and strategies as well as theory, and you’ll leave the book having thought about your social presence and how to navigate it.
ideal for: people addicted to their phones!
18. presence: bring your boldest self to your greatest challenges
amy cuddy (orion)
This is a book about body language, which is a crucial part of safe conversations in the workplace. is a book that helps you realize that how you feel changes how others see you. By redirecting your thoughts, you can influence how others perceive your communication style and confidence levels, even if you don’t say anything different.
if you haven’t seen amy cuddy’s ted talk on power poses, watch her first and then if you think her style resonates with you, get the book.
ideal for: understanding body language and its influence on positive communication
19. keys: master the secret language of charismatic communication
vanessa van edwards (penguin)
no, this is not a book about how to find your life partner at work. It’s about the signals you give during communication that other people interpret as a sign of warmth and trust (which is Van Edwards’ formula for charisma).
Learn how to send signals on purpose to create impact. It covers a mix of verbal, visual, and vocal cues, making it an interesting book to pair with Amy Cuddy’s Body Language book. Read it for some tips on conveying power, leadership, likeability, and dependability.
best for: improving your communication skills
20. how to talk to someone at work
leil lowndes
This book contains 72 easy-to-implement tips on communication at work. It encompasses trust, affection, clarity, credibility, coexistence. it’s full of real-life examples and stories.
ideal for: anyone of any level looking to improve their communication at work
You’ve reached the end of my list of books on communication skills at work, so I hope you’ve found something to make your next purchase. find me on instagram (@rebelsguidetopm) and tell me which one you’re reading next.
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