Whether we are dealing with a rude clerk, our child saying, "That's not fair ," our spouse ignoring us, or an uncooperative co-worker, in our struggle to respond effectively, we often become defensive - sometimes without even realizing it. Despite good intentions, we can become manipulative and controlling, even with those we love most. In this groundbreaking book, Sharon Ellison takes us to the root of our communication problems. She shows us how defensiveness functions in our lives and can lead to hurtful power struggles, outlining the six basic patterns we use: * Self-Betrayal * Avoidance * Excuses * Sabotage * Vindictiveness * Blame Using her Powerful, Non-Defensive Communication process, you can express yourself with a compelling blend of vulnerability and honesty. Learn to: * Ask disarming questions that prompt others to drop their defenses and open up * Give direct feedback to others without being judgmental * Express your own beliefs, feelings, and ideas passionately without being adversarial, so you can be heard and respected * Set firm boundaries that create security and clear expectations. "Taking the War Out of Our Words" provides us with vital tools for healing conflict, enhancing self-esteem, becoming more open and spontaneous, strengthening relationships, transforming organizations, and guiding the way toward peace in our global community.

Defensive Communications is written for the beginner through the intermediate bridge skill level that wants to learn how to communicate and think like the pros during the defense! It is split into two sections, Basics and Advanced, so the reader can go at their own pace, adding more and more to their defensive arsenal as they progress as a Bridge player. The fundamentals presented in this book are a must for EVERY Bridge player.

Reviews the fundamentals of nondefensive communication, which stresses retaining internal control in situations when external control is vested in someone else and demonstrates how to quickly evaluate all options within a situation

Communication: Embracing Difference, 4e, stresses the importance of understanding and celebrating difference as a means to becoming a more effective communicator. This text describes basic communication theory in everyday, non-technical terms and offers students an abundance of opportunities to analyze, understand, practice, and apply skills to real-life situations presented in the book and encountered in their own daily lives. Communication: Embracing Difference emphasizes the practical application of communication skills in interpersonal, small group, and public settings, which will help students become more confident and successful communicators. Targeting both mainstream students and non-traditional students who range widely in age, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, social roles, and socio-economic status, this text is designed with an overall approach that resonates with the diverse student populations making up so many campuses today.

This collection of 37 provocative selections on human communication shares with the reader the experience and insights of some of the best minds in the discipline. The selections for the most part deal with traditional communication topics in a novel way.

: Introduction -- Rhetorical agendas : a new framework for Senate representation -- Communicating Congressional priorities in the digital age -- "Short, not-so-sweet, and to (some) point" : Senate Tweets in 2013 and 2015 -- Categorizing Senators' Tweets and styles of communication -- Putting policy first : building a reputation as a policy wonk -- All politics is local : senators prioritize constituent service -- Partisan agendas : two parties, two patterns of partisan rhetoric -- Prioritization and representation : a future for social media and agenda-setting.