Bridge Builders : How Superb Communicators Get What They Want in Business and in Life

A powerful fable that delivers a simple but highly effective blueprint for communication success in business and beyond. How we choose to communicate determines the difference between success and failure—in all of our endeavors. Bridge Builders is a compelling fable of self-discovery about Daniel Reed's journey from ordinary communicator to inspirational Bridge Builder. It's about the power of crafting messages through the eyes of our audience. It's about learning to craft our message differently as others' needs become the impetus behind our message. No matter who you are or what you do, incorporating key Bridge Builder principles and best practices will revitalize your vision for the way you connect with people. Bridge Builders gives you the strategic tools you need to connect to the hearts and minds of your audiences and achieve the objectives that are important to you. Both engaging and instructive, BRIDGE BUILDERS presents a simple blueprint for communication success---in business and beyond---written as a persuasive and thought-provoking fable that illustrates the power of human connection. Excerpt. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. An extraordinary desire drives you. You have a story to tell. You have a product, service, idea, or vision to sell---at home or at work. How you choose to communicate your message and connect with your target audience will make the difference between success and failure. When you make a decision to communicate your message like a Bridge Builder, you will achieve more of what you want. Youll be a Superb Communicator who is able to persuade audiences: To listen. To engage. To connect. To buy your products. To join your causes. To approve your initiatives. To fund your ideas. To believe in your vision. To let you lead. The premise of this book is simple: You already know how to be a Bridge Builder---although you may not realize it. Like most people, youve probably forgotten. But youve successfully built bridges before. Intention, not perfection, helped you achieve what you wanted. And intention, not perfection, will help you achieve what you want in the future. When you operate from the principles illustrated in the story and in the Approach that follows it, the results you achieve will amaze you. Getting the Most from the Story Stories are often used to communicate important principles. Why? Because we all relate to life through stories. We see aspects of ourselves in the characters, and we hope to gain new insights about business and life from the way they react and the things they learn in the story. The parable in this book is about a man named Daniel who, like us, has a problem (how to communicate effectively with others) but doesnt recognize the source of his problem or how to solve it. Daniel needs to become a Bridge Builder in order to get what he truly wants, but he struggles to accept the solution to his problem because of past failure, preconceptions, and misunderstandings. He exemplifies the individuals I encounter every day in one-to-one coaching and the corporate consulting process. The characters in this story represent composites of real business professionals Ive worked with, not anyone in particular. However, early feedback from readers that represent varied industries and cultures tells me that the characters and themes in the story will resonate with most readers in more ways than one. This story applies to business communication, but it also applies to communication at home, at school, at church, and in any organizational setting. Because the story deals with communication and leadership principles, anyone will benefit from reading it, whether or not they work in the corporate world. Organizations, large or small, will also reap the profits of intentionally nurturing a culture of Bridge Builder Communication and Bridge Builder Leadershipand so will those inside those organizations, whether theyre executives, scientists, engineers, sales reps, entrepreneurs, educators, pastors or Creatives. That has been my experience. I suggest that you first read and reflect on the story. Then take the time to ask questions that are naturally suggested in the narrative. You have a story to tell. You have a product, service, idea, or vision to sell--at home, at school, at church, or at work. Your communication is the most powerful tool you possess--but do you know how to use it? How we choose to communicate determines the difference between success and failure--in all of our endeavors. "Bridge Builders" gives you the strategic tools you need to connect to the hearts and minds of your audiences and achieve the objectives that are important to you. "Bridge Builders" is a compelling fable of self-discovery about Daniel Reed's journey from ordinary communicator to inspirational Bridge Builder. It's about the power of crafting messages through the eyes of our audience. It's about learning to craft our message differently as others' needs become the impetus behind our message. No matter who you are or what you do, incorporating key Bridge Builder principles and best practices will revitalize your vision for the way you connect with people: Who is my audience? What do they care about? What obstacles will they present and why? How can I invite input? You have a story to tell. You have a product, service, idea, or vision to sell--at home, at school, at church, or at work. Your communication is the most powerful tool you possess--but do you know how to use it? How we choose to communicate determines the difference between success and failure--in all of our endeavors. Bridge Builders gives you the strategic tools you need to connect to the hearts and minds of your audiences and achieve the objectives that are important to you. Bridge Builders is a compelling fable of self-discovery about Daniel Reed s journey from ordinary communicator to inspirational Bridge Builder. It s about the power of crafting messages through the eyes of our audience. It s about learning to craft our message differently as others needs become the impetus behind our message. No matter who you are or what you do, incorporating key Bridge Builder principles and best practices will revitalize your vision for the way you connect with people: Who is my audience? What do they care about? What obstacles will they present and why? How can I invite input? "How we choose to communicate determines the difference between success and failure--in all of our endeavors. Bridge Builders gives you the strategic tools you need to connect to the hearts and minds of your audiences and achieve the objectives that are important to you. Bridge Builders is a compelling fable of self-discovery about Daniel Reed's journey from ordinary communicator to inspirational Bridge Builder. It's about the power of crafting messages through the eyes of our audience. It's about learning to craft our message differently as others' needs become the impetus behind our message"--Publisher's description