Getting through to someone is a critical, fine art. Whether you are dealing with a harried colleague, a stressed-out client, or an insecure spouse, things will go from bad to worse if you can't break through emotional barricades and get your message thoroughly communicated and registered.
Drawing on his experience as a psychiatrist, business consultant, and coach, author Mark Goulston combines his background with the latest scientific research to help you turn the “impossible” and “unreachable” people in their lives into allies, devoted customers, loyal colleagues, and lifetime friends.
In Just Listen, Goulston provides simple yet powerful techniques you can use to really get through to people including how to:
Whether they're coworkers, friends, strangers, or enemies, the first make-or-break step in persuading anyone to do anything is getting them to hear you out. The invaluable principles in Just Listen will get you through that first tough step with anyone.
With this groundbreaking book, you will be able to master the fine but critical art of effective communication.
Download and start listening now!
"I was a bit skeptical of this book until I got half-way through it and realised that I was immediately using many of the strategies it described to good effect. In particular, Chapter 2, about maintaining poise under stress, was very good and I found that the concepts in Chapter 12 helped to motivate me toward finding success in my own life (just apply the 'impossibility question' to your own situation - it really works!). I read a book about Non Violent Communication at the same time and there was definitely an overlap in the concepts presented. This book offers more than effective listening techniques - it provides strategies for thinking and communicating better. My only grip (and thus, the four starts instead of five) is that most of the examples in the later chapters pertained to a business audience and corporate situations. I would have appreciated more examples like those in Chapter 29, which were more applicable to my life and situation as an entrepreneur."
— Jayme (4 out of 5 stars)
" something we all need to improve on... "
— Sonya, 2/18/2014" Book of communication/interaction techniques for improving relationships. Some of the techniques were helpful, like asking q's that demonstrate empathy and "being interested vs. trying to sound interesting" but much of this book borders on manipulation. In one instance, Goulston describes a work situation where someone is leading a project supported by "losers." To improve the prospects for the project, Goulston suggests meeting with these people and telling them how impressive they are. "
— Scott, 2/16/2014" Everyone at some point has a message that they want to get across to someone else. The problem is when we all have messages that we are trying to communicate to each other; then everyone is speaking, and no one listens. In Just Listen, you learn very practical ways to connect empathic ally with people in order to listen to them and help them feel felt. Chocked full of helpful insights to listen well, connect with people and help build bridges, the major downside of this book is that it is so practical, so helpful, that at times the reader feels like he / she can't possibly remember all the ways to connect with others. "
— Garland, 2/2/2014" If I could I would give this book 6 stars! I just finished it and I'm getting ready to go through it and read it again for a second time. Most authors write an entire book based around a single chapter of Just Listen, so I felt like I got 30 excellent books for the price of one. His points are each unique but succinct and easy to read. He backs up what he says with examples that make his ideas easy to understand and immediately applicable. If you are working with difficult people or need to know how to motivate others, get this book and read it. The only caution is that the ideas won't work if you don't apply them and the book is so easy to read, it'd be tempting just to plow through it without digesting and memorizing the ideas and that would make the book enjoyable, but ultimately pointless. So put in the work and this book unlocks the secret of how to become an amazing communicator with even the most difficult people! "
— Amber, 1/23/2014" Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone by Mark Goulston was chosen by Soundview Executive Book Summaries as one of the Top 30 Business Books of 2010. "
— Soundview, 12/30/2013" This book is worth its weight in gold. I really recommend this book in the audio format. The narrator is brilliant and really brings the power of all the communication examples to life through his tones and inflections. The narrator does a great job of enhancing the value of Mark Goulston's wisdom and communication strategy that might not come accross as well on a written page (although I am sure the physical book is excellent too.) "
— Eric, 12/29/2013" If the lessons described in this book were to be taught to children, in schools all around the world, we would have global sustainable peace within one generation. "
— MaurÃcio, 12/23/2013" Listening is one of the greatest communication skills you can learn and excel at. You need to listen in order to be heard. "
— Rick, 12/5/2013" Wish I'd read it years ago. Worth a second read to get all the points. "
— J., 12/4/2013" Really valuable advice spread across all the chapters. Too often, business/relationship books can feel like they're replaying the same message over and over; however, this book offers a variety of actionable strategies for dealing with people of all kinds. Highly recommended. "
— Howard, 11/12/2013" I think this is a very good book about how to make others listen to you. The examples quoted are the ones you face day to day. The suggestions are powerful enough to try out and definitely bring benefits. "
— Suresh, 10/28/2013" An excellent book on communication based on what the author calls mirror neuron deficit. Very powerful strategies but need wisdom to know when to implement and the avoidance of a mechanical approach. Highly recommend. "
— Steve, 10/27/2013" This was one of the most practical books on communication that I have read. Dr. Goulston brings great common sense insights into how to connect with people and influence people in powerful long lasting ways. If you have to deal with people you should read this book. "
— Chad, 9/21/2013" Ga dit boek over aantal weken zeker nog eens lezen. Wou dat ik dit jaren geleden tegengekomen was. Begrijp nu waarom mijn 'beste gesprekken' mijn beste gesprekken waren, paste die technieken toen onbewust toe. "
— Noella, 8/20/2013" Not really shocking or earth-shattering. But still very valuable to hear. "
— Lisa, 7/14/2013" this is a damn good book. "
— Tim, 5/18/2013" Listening...it's an art and a skill. Things I already know are here, but other things I did not are there too. Definitely will be repeat reading. "
— Velanche, 9/9/2012" I listened to this on Audible and I'll definitely be queuing it up for another round in a few months. Very insightful material and written with practical guidance in mind. "
— Jesse, 8/4/2012" I'm not even kidding when I say I'll be re-reading this almost immediately. It's that good. Review to come. "
— Sarai, 3/23/2012" This is a great book that's geared more towards business, but I think can also be applied to any interpersonal relationships. We all can learn how to listen better, some of us need to learn how to listen! "
— Marika, 1/13/2012" I think this book is an excellent resource on effective communication. I haven't yet, but I plan on using what I've learned with several important people in my life. "
— Jeff, 10/22/2011" This book was phenomenal. Highly recommended. "
— Alejandro, 9/1/2011" Much more insightful than the average business book. "
— Anne, 8/16/2011" Un po' lungo, ma ricco di suggestioni e indicazioni su come gestire i rapporti con le persone imparando ad ascoltare gli altri. "
— Alfonso, 6/30/2011" This was a paradigm changing book that I think everyone should read. It is how we don't really listen to others for understanding. We need to be more attentive and we would get much more satisfaction out of our relationships. If you have teenagers this book should be a must read. "
— Gregory, 5/9/2011" very readable simple and effective "
— Annelize, 5/4/2011" I learned a lot from this book. I found myself explaining the concepts of the books to some people, some of whom later got back to me to say how much it had helped them. How often does that ever happen? "
— Johan, 3/14/2011" Had some good reminders about how to listen and how to elicit conversation in a way that you want it to go. "
— Dolores, 9/6/2010" Much more insightful than the average business book. "
— Anne, 5/9/2010" Excellent book on how to deal with difficult people. I need to reread this in a few months. "
— Leslie, 12/2/2009" OK, not as good as the hype, but worthwhile, how to deal with difficult people, good tactics. This guy, a psychiatrist, works with corporations, hostage crises situations, etc. I imagine he's very good at what he does, and passes on some of the 'tricks of the trade. <br/> "
— Marc, 10/3/2009" Some good tips on how to listen to others and respond effectively. "
— Patty, 10/2/2009Walter Dixon is a broadcast media veteran of more than twenty years’ experience with a background in theater and performing arts and voice work for commercials. After a career in public radio, he is now a full-time narrator with more than fifty audiobooks recorded in genres ranging from religion and politics to children’s stories.
Arthur Morey has won three AudioFile Magazine “Best Of” Awards, and his work has garnered numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and placed him as a finalist for two Audie Awards. He has acted in a number of productions, both off Broadway in New York and off Loop in Chicago. He graduated from Harvard and did graduate work at the University of Chicago. He has won awards for his fiction and drama, worked as an editor with several book publishers, and taught literature and writing at Northwestern University. His plays and songs have been produced in New York, Chicago, and Milan, where he has also performed.