You're in the middle of an important presentation, trying to get your ideas across, but something’s just not clicking. You realize your message isn’t landing the way you hoped, and it takes you back to moments in your personal life when you wished you'd communicated better—maybe with a friend, family member, or partner. But what if you could feel confident every time you speak, whether during a casual chat or a big presentation? That’s where the best books on communication skills come in.
These resources offer practical tips to help you communicate better—whether you're in a meeting, presenting in the boardroom, or just trying to connect with someone. With the right strategies, you can boost your listening, speaking, and persuasion abilities. Keep reading to discover our picks for the best books to improve communication skills.
Why communication is so important in the workplace
Good communication creates a productive environment where team members feel valued, collaborate smoothly, and work toward shared goals. When your workplace has strong internal communication, it helps managers delegate effectively, resolve conflicts, and motivate their teams—ultimately leading to a more cohesive and organized workplace.
11 of the best books to improve communication skills
Books are a great starting point for improving communication, offering expert insights and practical strategies you can use right away. Whether you're learning active listening, empathy, or persuasive techniques, books on communication can help you connect with others more effectively.
For our list of the best communication skills books, we’ve curated top-rated reads for professionals, leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to strengthen their communication.
1. “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” by Dale Carnegie
Our number one pick for the best books for improving communication is a classic. How to Win Friends and Influence People provides precise, practical techniques, such as showing genuine interest in others, refraining from criticism, and engaging people by focusing on their needs and perspectives.
Since its release in 1936 and with over 30 million copies sold, it's helped readers improve their relationships worldwide and build influence in personal and professional environments.
Carnegie's techniques are easy to apply and designed to bring out the best in your interactions, helping you be more persuasive, easily handle conflicts, and build better relationships.
2. “Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life,” by Marshall B. Rosenberg
Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life introduces a model that encourages clear, compassionate exchanges rather than conflict-driven reactions. Rosenberg explains the four-part core of nonviolent communication: a mindset of empathy; language that connects rather than divides; a way to express needs openly; and an approach to sharing power that fosters cooperation.
This is one of the best books to improve communication skills because it presents a transformative approach to communication focused on empathy, understanding, and connection. Through practical exercises, relatable stories, and role-play scenarios, it'll guide you in reshaping your interactions to build trust and reduce misunderstandings.
3. “Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High,” by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler
When emotions are strong, opinions differ, and the outcome matters, discussions can easily go wrong. Crucial Conversations provides clear strategies to help you stay calm, keep the conversation productive, and guide it toward positive results.
This book offers tools to prepare, create a safe space for open dialogue, and remain engaged even when others react defensively. It provides techniques to express yourself without triggering defensiveness and helps you turn potential conflicts into opportunities for mutual understanding and resolution. Ultimately, you’ll come away with the confidence to handle tough topics constructively.
4. “Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most,” by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen
Difficult Conversations explores the common pitfalls of high-stakes conversations—differing perceptions, assumptions about intent, and unexpressed feelings—and offers tools to help manage these challenges. It gives you a practical approach to creating a safe environment for open dialogue, listening deeply, and moving from conflict to resolution.
You'll learn to express yourself without blame, listen to underlying messages, and focus on collaborative solutions. Ideal for personal and professional interactions, Difficult Conversations gives you concrete methods to turn high-stakes discussions into constructive outcomes, strengthening relationships and enhancing understanding.
5. “Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone,” by Mark Goulston
If you've ever struggled to get through to someone—whether a resistant client, a difficult colleague, or even a friend—Just Listen is the book for you.
Drawing on his experience in psychiatry and coaching, author Goulston provides tools for making a strong first impression, listening effectively, and building empathy. This book combines scientific insights with clear advice to help you de-escalate conflicts, shift tense interactions toward a positive outcome, and achieve buy-in from others in personal and professional environments.
Goulston's methods are easy to apply and highly effective, helping you connect with others, defuse hostility, and improve relationships. By learning how to really listen and respond with empathy, you'll gain skills for making meaningful connections and creating cooperative interactions in any situation.
6. “Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds,” by Carmine Gallo
Our list of books about improving communication skills wouldn't be complete without including Talk Like Ted. In this read, Carmine Gallo explores the secrets behind the most popular TED Talks, providing nine essential techniques that successful speakers use to inform, inspire, and captivate audiences.
This book offers effective strategies to help you communicate with impact, whether you're preparing for a presentation or aiming to make everyday conversations more engaging. Thanks to the analysis of hundreds of presentations, you'll learn how to deliver powerful talks with a combo of storytelling, emotional connection, body language, and more.
7. “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion,” by Robert B. Cialdini
In Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, Robert Cialdini explores the psychology behind why people say “yes.” Backed by more than 35 years of research, Cialdini identifies six universal principles of influence: reciprocation, commitment and consistency, social proof, liking, authority, and scarcity. Each principle reveals how we're wired to respond to certain triggers, allowing us to understand and ethically apply persuasion in everyday life.
Cialdini's principles can help you communicate more effectively, enhance your influence, and even recognize when someone may be using these techniques on you.
8. “Power Questions: Build Relationships, Win New Business, and Influence Others,” by Andrew Sobel and Jerold Panas
Andrew Sobel and Jerold Panas reveal how asking the right questions can transform your relationships and elevate your influence. One of our essential books for improving communication skills, Power Questions shares 35 real-life conversations with CEOs, clients, and colleagues that highlight the impact of well-chosen, strategic questions.
This book offers a powerful toolkit for strengthening relationships and driving impactful conversations. Sobel and Panas' questions are practical and versatile, helping you build rapport, win business, and address challenges head-on.
9. “Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die,” by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Ever wondered why some ideas stick with people while others quickly fade? Chip and Dan Heath explore what makes certain messages unforgettable in this New York Times bestseller. Drawing on psychological research and real-world examples, they identify six traits that make ideas memorable and impactful: simplicity, unexpectedness, concreteness, credibility, emotion, and storytelling.
Using compelling anecdotes and insights, Made to Stick reveals how to use these traits to make any message resonate with an audience. You'll learn simple, effective techniques to get your message across—whether you're presenting at work, teaching, or simply sharing an idea.
10. “Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It,” by Chris Voss
Former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss brings his field-tested methods to everyday situations in Never Split the Difference, making it a standout among books on improving communication skills. Drawing on his experience negotiating in life-or-death situations, Voss provides strategies for building rapport, asking the right questions, and using empathy to gain valuable insights.
Moreover, the book introduces unconventional techniques that challenge standard negotiation approaches—such as embracing “no” as an opportunity to learn more. This is a must-read to learn how to communicate with clarity, discover the other party's needs, and turn difficult conversations into opportunities for collaboration.
11. “How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships,” by Leil Lowndes
To wrap up our list of the best books on improving communication, here's one about mastering the art of connecting with others. How to Talk to Anyone covers everything from body language and small talk to deeper conversation skills and tips for handling social and professional situations with confidence.
You'll learn ways to make others feel valued, master casual and meaningful conversations, and leave a positive impression in social, business, and personal relationships.
Get reading
Improving your communication skills is one of the most rewarding investments you can make, and books are a great way to start. Each of these best books on communication skills gives readers useful tips to help you connect better, build strong relationships, and make a bigger impact.
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