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The Secrets of Successful Communication: A Simple Guide to Effective Encounters in Business
To succeed at work and in life, people need to know how to have great encounters - in person, online, and on the phone with customers, colleagues and clients. Kevin McCarney shows how readers can create positive results in every communication every day when they understand the secrets of the Big Brain and the Little Brain - the two communication brains we all use.
The book not only helps readers build their own communication skills but also gives them simple, easy to remember ways to explain the art of communication to anyone, including managers and front line employees.
- GenresBusinessCommunication
186 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2011
About the author
Kevin Thomas McCarney
2 books16 followersA successful entrepreneur, speaker, mentor, husband, and father, Kevin has spent several decades managing customer and employee relations across a wide range of industries and organizations. He has been a guest speaker at the USC Marshall School of Business, the UCLA Anderson School of Business, and Woodbury University, among many others.
Since his first paper route at the age of seven, growing up in Hollywood, California, he has worked as a janitor, a switchboard operator, a busboy, a waiter, a manager, a doorman at Grauman’s Chinese Theater, and a tour guide at Universal Studios. He then went into the hospitality world as a corporate trainer until he created his own small group of restaurants that have been in business since 1984.
Kevin has served on the board of directors of the California Restaurant Association (Chairman 2014), State Compensation Insurance Fund, the Burbank Arts in Education Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club of Burbank, and the Universal City North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
Every job he worked at, every organization he served, would add to his observational knowledge that showed him how everyday communication was the key to success in any relationship.
Every moment creates opportunities. Every encounter has a ripple effect good or bad. The key is to control your moments so you can direct a positive ripple effect.
Since his first paper route at the age of seven, growing up in Hollywood, California, he has worked as a janitor, a switchboard operator, a busboy, a waiter, a manager, a doorman at Grauman’s Chinese Theater, and a tour guide at Universal Studios. He then went into the hospitality world as a corporate trainer until he created his own small group of restaurants that have been in business since 1984.
Kevin has served on the board of directors of the California Restaurant Association (Chairman 2014), State Compensation Insurance Fund, the Burbank Arts in Education Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club of Burbank, and the Universal City North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
Every job he worked at, every organization he served, would add to his observational knowledge that showed him how everyday communication was the key to success in any relationship.
Every moment creates opportunities. Every encounter has a ripple effect good or bad. The key is to control your moments so you can direct a positive ripple effect.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 9, 2012
Since I spend my time communicating – in my job, on my blog, talking to my dog – I get really excited when I received this book.
This book is a wonderful collection of practical perspectives, targeted stories, and optimal ways to communicate. Using the Big Brain vs Little Brain approach, the author outlines various ways we can communicate and the either devastating or uplifting effects we can have on others.
What I enjoyed about this book was the way the chapters, stories, and take-aways were framed. Each chapter begins with a statement, idea, or question that is followed by different ways to communicate in each situation. The end of each chapter has a succinct summary in a nifty box.
It isn’t rocket science but it is a great book to have around, solid reminder of how much impact our choice of words will have at home, at work, and in our lives.
Totally recommend it.
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not paid for this review. Views and endorsement are my own.
This book is a wonderful collection of practical perspectives, targeted stories, and optimal ways to communicate. Using the Big Brain vs Little Brain approach, the author outlines various ways we can communicate and the either devastating or uplifting effects we can have on others.
What I enjoyed about this book was the way the chapters, stories, and take-aways were framed. Each chapter begins with a statement, idea, or question that is followed by different ways to communicate in each situation. The end of each chapter has a succinct summary in a nifty box.
It isn’t rocket science but it is a great book to have around, solid reminder of how much impact our choice of words will have at home, at work, and in our lives.
Totally recommend it.
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not paid for this review. Views and endorsement are my own.
November 14, 2011
Big Brain v little brain wasn’t a concept to which I had really given any thought. However, Mr. McCarney’s book spelled out the concept in everyday language that resonated with me. Not only is this a great trade book for business people, but it is easy to shift the concepts and ideas to any situation. Keeping the key “takeaways” in mind everyone should be able to avoid those large faux pas that catch us unawares and keep us from succeeding. In addition, I found that these simple concepts helped to boost my confidence when faced with verbal conflict and avoid over-reaction to personal attacks or making the assumption that others are making personal attacks, when perhaps they would simply benefit from this effective little book.
I received this book as part of the Goodreas first reads program.
I received this book as part of the Goodreas first reads program.
May 10, 2014
*I received a free copy through Goodreads's first-reads program.*
This was a compelling guide to effective communication using one's Big Brain (reflective thinking and judgement) instead of one's Little Brain (tendency to spit out foolish comments). By contrasting the effects of filtering one's thoughts through the Big Brain and reacting impulsively, McCarney gives advice on how to deal with the different facets of conversation with other people. McCarney presents this information in an easily accessible manner through anecdotes, analogies, and diagrams, making this book simple to understand for any kind of reader. This book was an informative and enjoyable read, and I recommend it to anyone hoping to learn more about effective communication!
This was a compelling guide to effective communication using one's Big Brain (reflective thinking and judgement) instead of one's Little Brain (tendency to spit out foolish comments). By contrasting the effects of filtering one's thoughts through the Big Brain and reacting impulsively, McCarney gives advice on how to deal with the different facets of conversation with other people. McCarney presents this information in an easily accessible manner through anecdotes, analogies, and diagrams, making this book simple to understand for any kind of reader. This book was an informative and enjoyable read, and I recommend it to anyone hoping to learn more about effective communication!
May 29, 2017
I got this through goodreads first reads. Thanks!
This book is a lot of repetition. I mean a lot. How many times can you explain how important moments are? I seriously feel like this whole book was just preaching at me about moments, which I obviously already knew otherwise I wouldn't have wanted to read the book--I know how important communications with other people are. That's why wanted to read the book. You don't need to tell me about it every chapter.
Two-star because I think it'd be useful to somebody. Just not to me. I wish it had been, honestly.
This book is a lot of repetition. I mean a lot. How many times can you explain how important moments are? I seriously feel like this whole book was just preaching at me about moments, which I obviously already knew otherwise I wouldn't have wanted to read the book--I know how important communications with other people are. That's why wanted to read the book. You don't need to tell me about it every chapter.
Two-star because I think it'd be useful to somebody. Just not to me. I wish it had been, honestly.
February 2, 2023
Randomly grabbed this one at the library yesterday. It’s a simplistic book- a little too repetitive and simplistic at first but there is some good tips in here as well. I especially liked the concept of a time parachute when faced with an uncomfortable situation such as, “can I ponder that for a while?” To let the heat of the moment (hopefully) pass and resume with a calm, rational conversation.
December 13, 2011
I work in retail and this book was very beneficial. I understand completely where he's coming from with the Big Brain (the logical thinker) and the Little Brain (the blurt out whatever comes to mind first thinker.) I think my favorite part of this book is that he gives examples of how the Big Brain and Little Brain reactions can be applied to many situations. He gives descriptions of how a situation can go either way depending on which Brain you choose.
I got this book free as a part of the First Reads Giveaways. =]
I got this book free as a part of the First Reads Giveaways. =]
April 6, 2012
I won this book as part of a goodreads giveaway, but as a communications professional, was happy to win it.
I picked up some good information in this book and would recommend it to anyone looking to increase their communications skills or to someone looking to read into other people better.
It's not always about what you say, but how you say it. This book will help you learn how to say it.
I picked up some good information in this book and would recommend it to anyone looking to increase their communications skills or to someone looking to read into other people better.
It's not always about what you say, but how you say it. This book will help you learn how to say it.
April 1, 2013
I took this book from the library while looking for good communication tools and ended with some aha moments in the process.
Two things that stand out is the idea that the Big Brain responds and the Little Brain reacts, and this idea of how having all these forms of communication have impaired us to the simple ability of starting and finishing a conversation.
There are so many great insights. I think this should be required reading for any business professional.
Two things that stand out is the idea that the Big Brain responds and the Little Brain reacts, and this idea of how having all these forms of communication have impaired us to the simple ability of starting and finishing a conversation.
There are so many great insights. I think this should be required reading for any business professional.
May 11, 2014
Vital information. Easy to understand presentation.
It is not written from a Christian perspective; however, I found much of the advice/content of this book could be drawn from the book of Proverbs (which contains much wisdom in communication.)
I love the big brain vs. little brain analogy! It's a great word picture that really sticks with you. Since reading this book, I find myself putting more effort into fighting the little brain and encouraging the big brain. :)
It is not written from a Christian perspective; however, I found much of the advice/content of this book could be drawn from the book of Proverbs (which contains much wisdom in communication.)
I love the big brain vs. little brain analogy! It's a great word picture that really sticks with you. Since reading this book, I find myself putting more effort into fighting the little brain and encouraging the big brain. :)
Want to Read
October 24, 2011I won this book from the first reads giveaways and I am so excited to read it. Thanks.
November 9, 2011
Very instructive communications book. It emphasises that we need th think before speaking and evaluaate the mood and experiences of both the speaker and the receiver. Free copy for review purposes.
Read
October 28, 2017i think that book its really awsome and i just wanna to read it cuz .
i want to knowmledge my self about so many things
i want to knowmledge my self about so many things
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews