Reviews

"There are many  books on the market that purport to increase the levels of communication  between and among people. Many of these are based upon the latest fads  and offer little depth. In the book, "Effective Communication Skills",  John Nielsen has brought years of personal and professional expertise to  any reader who wants to develop authentic ways of deepening their  experience of communicating with others while fostering the gift of  mutual understanding. This is a work that couples, groups, and  professionals alike will embrace and use!"

"When  we think of communication, no matter what shape we give it, we can all  usually agree it involves speaking and listening. But according to  author John Nielsen, effective communication is much more complex.  Beyond speaking and listening, communication involves emotion,  perception, body language, addiction and more. His book, Effective  Communication Skills, is designed as a workshop to be completed in  self-study or as a group; including worksheets and templates to complete  pertaining to each chapter. Participants will find themselves exposed  to all aspects of effective communication and in turn become more  effective communicators themselves.

One of the  more interesting and surprising topics Nielsen covers is self-awareness.  When people think of effective communication, speaking and listening  immediately come to mind. In fact, Effective Communications Skills  covers in great details how to be an influential speaker and a receptive  listener. These two skills go hand in hand; you can't have  communication without both. However, Nielsen argues, in order to be an  effective communicator, you must be conscientious of your own emotions.  “In order to enhance relations with others, people must first identify  what they want to share with

others,”  Nielsen writes. Sometimes our self-talk, thoughts and underlying  emotions influence how we receive and send information. Several workbook  activities are designed to help the reader create better self-talk  habits and identify their underlying emotions. Effective Communication  Skills carefully and meticulously guides the reader through a process of  self-awareness, teaching communicators how to be more aware of their  emotions and perceptions.

Simple new  habits, such as changing the way you speak, can more consciously and  clearly convey what you mean. In speaking about labels and how people  perceive labels differently, Nielsen uses the example of green beans. He  may compliment his friend's cooking by saying, these peas you cooked  taste like green beans. If Nielsen thinks of green beans as being fresh  and crisp, he's complimenting his friend's cooking. But if the friend  thinks of green beans as canned and mushy, it means the peas he cooked  aren't appetizing at all. Nielsen challenges readers to write down some  of the labels we use, then clarify what we mean when we say those  things.

Readers  should seriously consider completing each exercise in the book in order  to glean the most possible benefit from the information presented. As a  workshop, the information and exercises build on those points presented.  For self-study, the design is perfect. For a group, there could be more  discussion topics or group exercises available. Either way, Effective  Communication Skills is a comprehensive guide which will appeal to all  styles of learners. Nielsen's writing is easy to read and not at all  overwhelming, yet imparts wise advice to create foundational change and  become a more effective communicator."

This  is an excellent book that teaches effective communications skills just  like the title says.  I would personally benefit greatly if I would read  it every year as a refresher course.  

Growing up  in a family where codependency, obsessive compulsive and passive  aggressive behavior ran rampant, I just adopted them all.  And I didn't  even know I had problems for years. 

One of the  things that I have learned from this book is that I can be assertive and  speak up for myself.  I can do it without being angry or threatening to  the other person.  I have learned to speak kindly but firmly when I  need to disagree. When I am not assertive and just sit passively in the  background, I could easily give the impression of acceptance and  approval to the plan being discussed.   I do not have to let people  manipulate me because I have learned to set boundaries.  And my self  esteem has improved too.

John has  provided worksheets throughout the book that have showed me how to work  through many emotions and destructive feelings.  My Self Talk was very  negative and destructive. My husband used to constantly remind me that I  was not in fact a mind reader as I would go on and on about what  someone was thinking during a particular situation.  It was so easy for  me to misunderstand.  Often it would be as simple as the fact that the  person I was talking to had their mind on their sick cat at home and not  really paying attention to what I was saying.  And I have learned that  it is not always about me.

Feeling and  emotions can be my downfall and there are examples of how to deal with  so many of these things I struggle with.  Things like hurt, anger,  rejection, feeling overwhelmed and what I can do to turn them around.  

Learning to  say I instead of We was a new behavior for me as well.  I would often  say "We feel this way," or  "You know how when You think this or that".   I have no right to include anyone in what I am saying unless they have  asked me to speak for them.  I've learned to take personal  responsibility for what I say and use I statements.  This book will  teach you how to be successful.

Through  other lessons I have learned to listen more to others.  Do not give  advice, and I don't need to agree.   Sometimes I just need to be there  for a friend and listen.  Show empathy and be quiet and listen.  I've  learned that I have over used the words Never and Always.  They are for  the extremes and rarely correct for the situation.  Another couple of  hot topics for me that are addressed are the Fear of failure and Fear of  rejection.  I had to discover the sources and work through a lot, but  this book really helped me through the process.  

I think  this is a great book  Easy to understand and work through.  It has been  very helpful to me and I am grateful that John has passed on  his  knowledge from many years of study and experience.  Thank you, John.

"John Nielsen is a man of wisdom and expertise.  I know from first-hand  experience of his love and compassion for people.  With his many years  of experience, John’s professional competency includes a mastery of  communication skills.  In his book, Effective Communication Skills,  John lays out a comprehensive manual for acquiring the fine art of  communicating.  What many businesses have invested thousands of dollars  in training their employers, John has made available to all.  Whether  you are desiring a better marriage, stronger leadership skills, or  simply want more confidence in presenting yourself to others than this  compendium of expertise in the fine art of communication is for you!   Spending the time to acquire these skills has made a difference in my  life and I expect these skills will make the difference in yours.  " 

"This  is an a amazing book for workshops and small groups. It really gets you  thinking and helps facilitate the brainstorming process in an organized  way. I highly recommend Effective Communication Skills for anyone who  feels like they are struggling with communication."

“I  was a little skeptical about the effectiveness of the skills talked  about in John Nielsen’s book. I’ve been reading books, going to seminars  and doing all the things that I thought would help me communicate

better in  my relationships. However, none of that would have worked if I had not  used the simple skills found in John’s book Effective Communication  Skills.  It completely turned my most important relationship around.  My  husband and I are still amazed at how quickly we worked through  issues.  On a scale of 1-10, I’d give it a 10!”

​"According  to Ephesians 4:15 we must speak the truth in love so that we can  grow-up in all things. With that it is clear from God’s Word that  speaking the truth in love is required for growth. In other words, if  you want to grow and see others around you grow, you must learn to  communicate the truth in love. That’s what John Nielsen shares in his  book Effective Communication Skills. As a leader, I found Effective  Communication Skills to be the key to advancing God’s vision for our  team and also for my marriage. John is a wonderfully gifted teacher. If  you want to grow personally and professionally, I highly recommend this  book."

To the reader

"Are you  interested in changing your life for the better? READ THIS BOOK! Are you  having problems dealing with your spouse, friends, children, clients,  etc. You can change this by reading this book, and learn the art of  Effective Communication. John Nielsen has written a book that can have a  profound effect on your ability to communicate with others. I've  watched John use this process for more than 30 years and I have learned  so much from his teaching. As a 30 year lifetime Elementary School  Teacher, MA in education and an MA of Divinity and a graduate from the  school of hard knocks, I highly recommend this must read book! Enough  said! Buy it! Read it! Enjoy it! and GROW!!!"

"John Nielsen has written one of the most straightforward books out there in regards to communication skills. Whether

you deal  with a difficult person, a team member, a manager, a client or your  partner, communication can be a challenge. Each chapter in this book  brings in step by step instructions regarding new techniques to improve  your skill level, not to mention steps on how to apply them. You will  gain tools that cover an entire behavioral purpose , rather than just  communication."