This is a great little book full of common sense advice about how to be a better conversationalist. It is not necessarily geared towards getting ahead in the corporate world, but it is helpful. Written by a "human nature expert" Headlee offers practical tips for listening and speaking with meaning. I appreciated the reminders about repeating oneself and using negative language. Even though she did not provide much information I haven't heard before I would like to check out her TED talk. Out of all of the self help books on communication I've read, We Need to Talk was the most enjoyable. ( )

This book feels very ironic. I understand the intent behind it was really good, but it meanders around the subject of conversation (while saying not to do that). Here are the main things I got from it:

- Set Expectations
- Try to be supportive and empathetic

This is communicated much better in other books about conversation.

I highly recommend "Crucial Conversations" by Patterson et al. as a more practical book about actually having important conversations.
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This entire book changed my way of what i thought it meant to be with people and talk to them. I am working on through my struggles. if i didn't read a book like this I may never have seen mine and others faults. ( )

That was fabulous! I was thoroughly engrossed from beginning to end. There's a lot here that makes so much sense, but I'd never *really* thought of it before. I feel like I identified so many of my own flaws in how I converse with others...I'm such a jerk! This has definitely rewired the way I experience and value interactions with other people and will hopefully influence me to become a better friend, family member, and colleague to all those I encounter. Bonus: the audio is superb! Short and sweet--I was hooked and tore through it swiftly. Thanks, Gina, for bringing this to my attention!! ( )

My rating would be higher but for the "Mark Twain", rambling, story-telling writing style. Not written in classroom, textbook style, but at a very personal level by the author. Most of the good advice is near the end of the book. ( )