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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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We Need to Talk summary
How to Have Conversations That Matter
21 mins
Brief summary
We Need to Talk is a non-fiction book by Celeste Headlee that talks about the lost art of conversation. It offers practical tips to improve your listening and communication skills to have more meaningful conversations.
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We Need to Talk
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Good communication is fundamental to being human, but modern life has set us up with some bad habits.
If you were to stand a human next to, say, a snow leopard or a Komodo dragon, you might wonder how we became the dominant species. There are all kinds of animals out there that are faster, bigger, and stronger than we are. Even some whose teeth are filled with poison! Yet somehow, humans have risen to the top.
One reason is our ability to communicate. What we lack in physical prowess, we make up for in being able to talk to each other in minute detail – and to listen, too. That has all manner of evolutionary advantages.
It’s strange, then, that we don’t try a bit harder when it comes to communicating. In fact, these days, we’re getting worse and worse at it.
The key message here is: Good communication is fundamental to being human, but modern life has set us up with some bad habits.
People have been talking to each other since the dawn of time, but here’s a very modern example that shows why learning to do it well is worth it – poor communication costs money. For large businesses in the US and UK the impact could be as much as $37 billion a year, according to a report from 2008.
It’s not just financial, and it’s not just businesses that are affected either. Another study found that college students in 2010 were 40 percent less empathetic than students from 30 years earlier. A big contributor to this is undoubtedly the rise of technology and social media, which encourages fleeting superficial connection, not empathy.
In another study, researchers put multiple pairs of strangers in a room together and asked them to chat – in half of the rooms they also put a cell phone on the table. And even though the phone was just sitting there, it had a negative impact on the couples’ communication. The pairs in the rooms with no cell phone reported developing better relationships, and feeling more trust and empathy.
What can you do about this? Putting your phone away is just the beginning. More important than that is for you to start taking the art of conversation seriously.
If you have a bad conversation, it’s common to impulsively blame the other person for not being interesting enough. Definitely stop doing that! Instead, if you can take the responsibility for shaping an interesting conversation yourself, you’ll be amazed at the results.
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What is We Need to Talk about?
We Need to Talk (2017) walks you through the art of good conversation – a vital but often undervalued skill. It shows how effective conversation leads to more meaningful relationships and a greater understanding of other people. The book also offers advice on how to improve your own conversation skills.
We Need to Talk Review
We Need to Talk (2017) by Celeste Headlee is an enlightening exploration of the lost art of conversation and why it's essential in our digital age. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Offers practical techniques and strategies to improve our communication skills, enabling us to connect deeply with others.
- Examines the impact of technology on our conversations, highlighting the importance of being present and truly listening.
- Shares real-life stories that illustrate the power of conversation, making the book engaging and thought-provoking.
Who should read We Need to Talk?
- People frustrated by superficial conversations
- Keen talkers who want to become better listeners
- Conversationalists eager to improve their skills
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We Need to Talk FAQs
What is the main message of We Need to Talk?
The main message of We Need to Talk is improving our communication skills for better relationships.
How long does it take to read We Need to Talk?
The reading time for We Need to Talk varies, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is We Need to Talk a good book? Is it worth reading?
We Need to Talk is worth reading. It provides valuable insights and practical advice for effective communication.
Who is the author of We Need to Talk?
Celeste Headlee is the author of We Need to Talk.
What to read after We Need to Talk?
If you're wondering what to read next after We Need to Talk, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Conversations Worth Having by Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres
- Ready Aim Fire! by Erik Fisher and Jim Woods
- Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
- The 12 Traits of the Greats by Dave Martin
- Million Dollar Habits by Brian Tracy
- Difficult Conversations by Douglas Stone
- The Art of Witty Banter by Patrick King
- Get It by AmyK Hutchens
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- Critical Thinking by Richard Paul