Preface ix Acknowledgments xiii About the Author xv 1 Understanding Today''s Professional Communication Landscape 1 Strong Communication Skills and Career Success 2 Greater Comprehension of Your Role and Responsibilities 2 Improved Team Collaboration and Follow- Through 2 Career Mobility Through Positive Communication Habits 3 Moving Forward 3 Types of Communication Used in Today''s Job Marketplace 5 Verbal Communication 6 Nonverbal Communication 6 Listening as Communication ("Active Listening") 7 When in Doubt - RACI 7 Moving Forward 8 Communication in a Connected Global Workforce 9 Cultural Differences in Communication 9 Importance of Context 9 Flexibility and Adaptability 10 The Art of Practicing Empathy 10 Moving Forward 11 Collaboration Tools and the Ever- Changing Communication Ecosystem 12 The Rise of Remote and Global Teams 13 The Power of Automation: Transparency and Accountability 13 Enhanced Communication and Improved Team Dynamics 14 Key Terms 16 Moving Forward to Module 2 16 2 Listening as a Form of Communication 17 Forms of Listening 18 Internal Listening for Self- Reflection and Growth 18 Focused Listening to Enhance Understanding and Problem- Solving 18 Global Listening 19 Building Trust and Forming Bonds Through Listening 19 Listening as a Tool for Empathy and Emotional Intelligence 19 Moving Forward 20 Listening Best Practices 21 What Is Nonverbal Communication? 21 Why Body Language and Eye Contact Matter 22 Avoiding Multitasking While Listening 22 Being Mindful of Interrupting and On- Topic Responses 23 Moving Forward 23 Appropriate Ways of Asking Questions 24 Seeking Clarification: Why It''s Important 25 Pause, Consider Ask! 25 Tone and Delivery 26 Active Listening: Asking Appropriate Questions 26 Moving Forward 27 Considerations When Listening 28 What Is Diversity in Communication? 28 Equity in Participation 29 Inclusion in Practice 29 Best Practices for Embedding DEI in Professional Communications 29 Key Terms 32 Moving Forward to Module 3 32 3 In- Person, Live Communication Mastery 33 Knowing When to Use In- Person Communication 34 Collaboration Around Proprietary Company Information 34 HR- Related Topics (Promotions, Complaints, Etc.) 35 Performance Reviews 35 Enhancing In- Person Meetings and Presentations 37 Practicing Positive Body Language 37 What Your Attire Communicates 38 Being Present and Staying Attentive 38 Moving Forward 39 Communication Around Interpersonal Encounters 40 Fostering Collaboration with Peers 41 Communicating Effectively with Superiors 41 Resolution- Based Communication Practices 42 Moving Forward 44 Over- Communicating (and Why You Should Avoid It) 45 The Pitfalls 45 Strategies to Avoid Over- Communicating 46 Tips for Concise Communication in a Professional Setting 46 Key Terms 49 Moving Forward to Module 4 49 4 Email and Texting as a Form of Communication 50 Email as Documentation 51 Adhering to Company Policies on Work Email Usage 51 Appropriate Versus Inappropriate Work Emails 51 The Integral Role of Work Emails in HR Evaluations 52 Understanding Your Audience 52 Permanence and Documentation of Emails 53 Moving Forward 53 Demonstrating Mastery in Email Structure 54 Let''s Start at the Beginning 54 Professional Greetings and Salutations 55 Importance Notations and Tags 55 Professional Signature Block 55 Best Practices for Out- of- Office Messaging 56 Moving Forward 57 Best Practices for Email Content 58 Content, Structure, and Finding an Ideal Email Length 59 Follow- Up and Closing 59 Reread and Review Before Sending 60 Replying, Forwarding, and When to Initiate a New Thread 61 Promptness in Email Reply Times 61 Use of Emojis and Abbreviations in Professional Emailing 61 Moving Forward 62 Texting and Direct Messaging (DMing) in Professional Communication 63 Texting and Direct Messaging Platforms 63 Practice and Professional Use 64 Company Policies on Texting 65 Texting Versus Email: Making the Appropriate Choice 65 Moving Forward 66 Professional Texting and DM Best Practices 67 The Pillars of Effective Workplace DMs: Context, Tone, Brevity, and Timing 67 Understanding the Medium 68 Group Versus Individual Communications 68 Tone, Professionalism, and Conciseness Are Key 69 Respecting Boundaries 69 Key Terms 71 Moving Forward to Module 5 71 5 Mastering Communication in Virtual Meetings 72 Virtual Meetings and Presentations 73 Best Practices for Virtual Meetings 73 Best Practices for Virtual Presentations 74 Moving Forward 76 Effective Planning for Virtual Meetings and Presentations 77 Scheduling and Timing 78 Crafting and Distributing Invites 78 Preparing the Agenda 79 Pre- Meeting Coordination and Role Assignments 80 Fostering Engagement During Virtual Meetings and Presentations 82 Post- Event Follow- Up 83 Moving Forward 84 Being Tech- Prepped Before and During Virtual Meetings 85 Understanding Your Platform 85 Maximizing Connectivity for Seamless Virtual Meetings 86 Hardware Readiness 87 Troubleshooting Common Tech Issues 87 Moving Forward 88 Best Practices and Virtual Meeting Mastery 89 The Not- So- Little Things: Enhancing Virtual Meeting Environments 89 Dressed for Success 90 Managing Communication and Knowing When to "Mute" 90 Respecting Start and End Times 91 Moving Forward 91 Communicating Through Presentation Design 92 Choosing the Right Template 93 Mastery in Formatting and Design 93 Constructing Effective Presentations 93 Balancing Your Information and Visuals 94 Leveraging Videos and Visual Imagery 94 Key Terms 95 Moving Forward to Module 6 96 6 Digital Collaboration Tools as a Form of Communication 97 Introduction to Digital Collaboration Tools 98 Advantages of Digital Collaboration Tools 98 Moving Forward 99 Email and Digital Collaboration Communication - Key Differences 101 Response Time and "Real- Time" Communication 101 Confirming Receipts 102 Making Agreements and Setting Deadlines 102 Ensuring Follow- Through 102 Moving Forward 104 When to Use Email, Digital Collaboration Tools, and Live Communication 105 Good Old, Dependable Email 105 Digital Collaboration Platforms 105 Live and In- Person Communication 106 Moving Forward 107 AI Best Practices in Today''s Business Landscape 108 AI Dos and Don''ts in Work Email Creation 108 Best Practices for Meeting Notes and Summaries Using AI 109 Other Ways AI Can Benefit Workplace Communication 109 Moving Forward 110 Digital Collaboration Best Practices 111 Keeping Team Communication Within the Digital Collaboration Ecosystem 111 Understanding and Respecting Your Role Within Your Team 112 Prompt Response Times 112 Avoiding Siloed Communication 113 Respecting Team Deadlines 113 Key Terms 115 Glossary 117 Index 123.