Ever come away from a conversation wishing you'd said something differently, something else, or just something? We've all had conversations that took an unproductive turn or avoided conversations that really needed to happen. If you want to become a better communicator, Dr. Mike Bechtle has good news: the art of confident conversation is something you can develop through simple, repeatable habits. In this book, he shows you how to - embrace your temperament - overcome feelings of intimidation - choose the right words at the right time - speak up for others and yourself - and much more Say goodbye to fear, regret, and "I should (or shouldn't) have said that." Say hello to intentional, appropriate, timely conversations that get your point across even as they build relationships. This book provides mastery of the skills of confident communication in any situation.

Strange as it may seem, other people are not nearly as committed to our happiness as we are. In fact, sometimes they seem like they're on a mission to make us miserable! There's always that one person. The one who hijacks your emotions and makes you crazy. The one who seems to thrive on drama. If you could just "fix" that person, everything would be better. But we can't fix other people--we can only make choices about ourselves. In this cut-to-the-chase book, communication expert Mike Bechtle shows readers that they don't have to be victims of other people's craziness. With commonsense wisdom and practical advice that can be implemented immediately, Bechtle gives readers a proven strategy to handle crazy people. More than just offering a set of techniques, Bechtle offers a new perspective that will change readers' lives as they deal with those difficult people who just won't go away.

Most people want to avoid tough conversations. Whether it's with a spouse, a friend, a boss, a coworker, or a child, tough conversations create high anxiety--and often lingering resentments. Communication expert Dr. Mike Bechtle offers practical help. He equips readers with the skills they need in order to handle conflict with the important people in their lives. Readers learn to be better prepared for hard conversations by learning to listen, to give and receive genuine feedback, and to saturate relationships with kindness. With the right skills and tools, anyone can feel more confident handling the elephant in the room and other conversational quicksand.

Baked Alaska, melba toast, hush puppies, and coconuts. You'd be surprised at how these food names came to be. And have you ever wondered why we use the expression "selling like hotcakes"? Or how about "spill the beans"? There are many fascinating and funny stories about the language of food--and the food hidden in our language! Charlotte Foltz Jones has compiled a feast of her favorite anecdotes, and John O'Brien's delightfully pun-filled drawings provide the dessert. Bon appetit!

We all want other people to like us and think well of us. But when we depend on the praise, admiration, or appreciation of others for our sense of self-worth, we become trapped in an exhausting and debilitating cycle of people-pleasing relationships where we always give and rarely receive. The most common advice we hear--Start putting your own needs first!-- doesn't work, because we do love helping other people! Thankfully, the solution to the people pleaser's "problem" isn't to fundamentally change who you are--it's to fundamentally change where you find your worth. In this freeing book, Dr. Mike Bechtle shows you stop letting your fears of rejection, criticism, invisibility, or inadequacy drive your actions and start rebuilding your sense of self-worth from the inside out. When you do, you'll discover that what you once thought of as a struggle is actually a strength.

Relationship and communication expert Mike Bechtle offers women an insider's guide to the puzzling male brain. Simple and practical, this book provides women with a roadmap for better conversations and improved relationships. Bechtle explains how men think, act, communicate, and grow in relationships, and even offers tips for communicating in a toxic relationship. Wives, girlfriends, mothers, daughters, friends, and coworkers will find real help within these pages.

Communication is an art, and anyone--whether shy or outgoing--can improve his or her conversational skills. How to Communicate with Confidence is a straightforward guide to making good conversation that works in any situation--and works for any personality type. Highlighting the art of give and take and stressing the importance of listening, this book gives confidence to those who hesitate to strike up a conversation. Author Mike Bechtle shows readers that they don't have to have a stockpile of great stories to tell in order to make good conversation. Instead, he encourages an "explorer" mind-set and gives readers the tools they need to talk to anyone, anytime, anywhere.

What Is He Really Thinking? When a woman begins a relationship with a man, she may think she's found her knight in shining armor. As the relationship continues, that armor can begin to feel like a barricade she just can't get past it. What's he hiding in there, anyway? Relationship and communication expert Mike Bechtle offers women an insider's guide to the puzzling male brain. Simple and practical, this book provides women with a roadmap for better conversations and improved relationships. Bechtle reminds readers that men and women share many similarities, and by embracing those similarities they can better deal with differences. He explains how men think, act, communicate, and grow in relationships, and even offers tips for communicating in a toxic relationship. Wives, girlfriends, mothers, daughters, friends, and coworkers will find real help within these pages.

Olusola Olufemi uses scriptures to discuss the power and importance of words in everyday life, including our spiritual walk with God, relationships, and self-awareness. The book guides the reader through the many facets of words in the context of guarding the mouth, keeping words far from sin, and equipping our words to be a blessing through wisdom gained from God’s word. “Rejoice in God’s word or promise like one who finds great spoil” (Psalm 119:162). Win your battles with God’s word. The theme of Words: Guard the Door of My Lips is poignant because the lips are the outer extremity or a doorway to the tongue, and the power of life rests in the tongue. There is wisdom in guarding your lips to ensure you speak life, encouragement, and blessing to others. Psalm 55:21 reads, “His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.” Examine the words that flow from your thoughts, from your heart—are they smooth as butter, soothing as oil? Or like daggers drawn and ready for war and turmoil? Spoken words are like eggs. When dropped, they are difficult to scoop back. Words are a Wellspring Of Restoration and Divine Sanctification (WORDS). Use your words wisely. Let your words divinely sanctify others.

Thriving at work doesn't require changing who you are - Do brainstorming meetings leave you drained and wishing you'd said more? - Have you been ignored while your extroverted coworkers get praised? - Do you feel like you have to pretend to be someone you're not in order to get ahead? As an introvert, you may feel like the things you're best at--deep thinking, keen observation, focused listening, and strategic planning--are not highly valued in your workplace. But just because your greatest strengths are internal doesn't mean your workplace doesn't need them. In fact, your invisible skills are essential to any business's success! And the key to your personal success is not trying to be someone else but being 100% yourself. Backed by research, case studies, and personal observation, communication expert Dr. Mike Bechtle shows you how to capitalize on your unique strengths so that you can reach your full potential with confidence and authenticity. His simple, actionable advice can change your work life--starting today.