Communication Highwire ― Leveraging The Power Of Diverse Communication Styles

Communication styles, the authors note, are patterns of behavior things people do rather than things they are . Further, labels commonly used to identify communication styles, such as "direct" and "indirect," are culturally relative and thus open to misinterpretation. Saphiere, a consultant and trainer on intercultural matters, and her academic co-authors lay out strategies and tools for managers, team leaders, community leaders, educators, and facilitators to help individuals and groups understand a variety of communication styles, overcome frustrations, prevent mistakes, and save time and money. They include many workplace examples and 26 suggested activities. Annotation c2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Dianne Hofner Saphiere (M.S.) is founder and Principal of Nipporica Associates LLC, an intercultural consulting and training firm, and creator of the CulturalDetective.com series.Barbara Kappler Mikk (Ph.D.) is Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services at the University of Minnesota, where she is responsible for intercultural training and programs.Basma Ibrahim DeVries (Ph.D.) is Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and conducts intercultural training workshops for educational and community groups.