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 Book Nook
 PowerPhrases! The Perfect
Words to Say It Right and Get the Results You
Want
by Meryl Runion
Power Potentials, 2002.
ISBN: 0-9714437-2-6.
Paperback, 210 pages. Price: $21.95
Overall Rating: **** Overnight it
Do you sometimes wonder why you can’t get
other people to understand or accept your point of
view? Do you have trouble making small talk at a
party? Do you want to sell a new idea to your boss,
but aren’t quite sure how to approach the task?
Are you the new kid on the block and worry about
being accepted? Are you out of work and facing the
daunting prospect of an interview? Have you ever
thought, “I wish I’d said….”
If your answer to any of these questions is yes, or
if you just want to become more comfortable
communicating with bosses, co-workers, friends, and
family, this book is for you.
Miss Manners would love this book! Its emphasis is
on short, colorful expressions that get results
“by saying what you mean, meaning what you say,
and not being mean when you say it”
(p. 5) The focus is on assertive communication for a
wide variety of social situations—from a sales
call to a cocktail party, from the first day on the
job to being on either side of a performance review.
For example, there are phrases for the
following:
- Saying no: “I’d love to, but I have
other commitments.” (p. 30)
- Conflict resolution: “If we could come up
with a solution that works for us both, would you
be interested?” (p. 50)
- Negotiating to get what you want: “I
propose that…” (p. 85) and “When
shall we start?” (p. 97)
There also are tips on how to create your own
PowerPhrases®.
Although this book is quick and easy to read, its
true utility will not be realized during a single
time through the chapters. To fully benefit from this
book, the reader will need to take the time to
internalize the phrases and make them his or her own.
Runion recommends that you “Memorize them. Put
them on your fridge, next to your bed, and on your
bathroom mirror. Practice them until they become
automatic” (p. 2). This may seem awkward, but
the payoff will be in more effective communications
with others.
There is a wealth of information packed into this
slim book; more than 130 lists of PowerPhrases are
divided among the 12 chapters, as well as detailed
steps for conflict resolution and delegation and
numerous “Power Pointer” examples and
tips. Unfortunately, finding phrases applicable to a
specific topic or situation can be a challenge, as
there is no index and the table of contents simply
lists chapter titles. I developed my own expanded
version of the table of contents so that I could find
specific material more quickly.
On the other hand, there is a nice bibliography
for those who want to continue their learning in how
to communicate. Addition-ally, seven of the chapters
conclude with exercises intended to help you
understand your current language patterns and develop
new ones.
This is a book that you’ll want to study and
reference on a regular basis in order to refresh your
ability to communicate assertively without being
passive, aggressive, or disagreeable.
CHRISTINE ROBINSON has more than 25 years of
leadership experience in quality systems for the
process industries. She has a master’s degree
in quality, values, and leadership from Marian
College. An avid reader, she spends a significant
amount of her time with her nose in books and her
body at the library.
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