In this book, Pace and Kyeli examine how people communicate and where they most often make mistakes. They unfold their findings in a conversational style that makes the communication principles easy to remember. Reading this book taught me things without me even realizing how much I'd retained; the ideas seeped right into my brain.
This book includes material about the traditional communication techniques such as active listening and "I statements," but it goes well beyond those. The authors discuss communication dynamics (how we communicate and some fundamental problems that can occur when we try), boundaries (how to set them, discuss them, and respect those set by others), conflict (how to avoid it, and resolve it if it occurs), and positivity (how to improve your outlook, thus improving your relationships with other people).
Some of my favorite concepts are the Usual Error (assuming that everyone thinks like you do), "We are made of meat" (my physical needs affect everything), feeling considered (how to respect others' needs without being a pushover), and the question, "what do I get out of being right."
This book has practical advice, memorable metaphors, wonderful illustrations, and I recommend it to anyone who wants a fresh approach for the age-old problems of communication.