Jay Sullivan is an award-winning author and columnist. He writes extensively about leadership and communication skills. For thirty years he has helped professionals in a wide array of industries think more clearly and communicate with more impact by focusing as much on listening as on speaking, and as much on trying to understand as to being understood.

Introduction: Focus on Others xiii

Part I Your Content 1
Chapter 1 What Do You Mean by That?: Framing the Conversation 5
Chapter 2 Once Upon a Time: Telling Engaging Stories 23
Chapter 3 A Place for Everything: Organizing Your Content 33

Part II Your Oral Communication Skills 49
Chapter 4 Stand Up and Stand Out: Maximize the Impact of Your Body Language 51
Chapter 5 Are You Just "Waiting to Talk"?: Listening to Understand 75
Chapter 6 See It. Save It. Say It: Delivering from Notes and Visuals 97
Chapter 7 What If They Ask You Something You Don't Know?: Responding to Questions 121

Part III Your Written Communication Skills 133
Chapter 8 Challenge Every Word: Editing for Clarity 137
Chapter 9 Form Follows Function: Structuring Your Documents 153
Chapter 10 Make It Easy: Creating Reader-Friendly Documents 161
Chapter 11 Hit Send with Confidence: Writing Emails That Resonate 167

Part IV Your Interactions 177
Chapter 12 It's a Dialogue, Not a Monologue: Conducting Effective Client Meetings 181
Chapter 13 You Can't Do It All: Delegating Successfully 195
Chapter 14 Do You Have a Minute?: Sharing Meaningful Feedback 205
Chapter 15 Raise Your Glass: Giving Toasts 213
Chapter 16 Pass the Mic: Introducing Speakers and Participating in Panel Discussions 219

Part V Your Leadership 229
Chapter 17 Inspire and Influence: Leading Others 231
Chapter 18 From Invincibility to Authenticity: Showing Vulnerability 245

Grammar Guidelines for Personal Pronouns 253
Acknowledgments 257
About the Author 259
Index 261