He Said/She Said: Personal Communication Edition (CD)

Lillian D. Bjorseth
Duoforce Enterprises, Inc. (2005)
Reviewed by Susan Pettrone for Reader Views (12/06)

“He Said/She Said: Personal Communication Edition” CD begins assuring the listener that it will help you acquire the skills needed to be a better personal and business communicator. The presenter we are informed has over 20 years of experience in the field of communication and her work experience is just as expressive listing many well known companies which she has been actively involved within.

The differences between communication skills with men and women becomes clearly apparent in the second track of this CD when we hear totally different answers to the question “how was your day?” when answered by men and women. We learn that early on in a conversation it is not unusual for men to answer “nothing” to the question asked of them, only to drop important information later on in the conversation. Women on the other hand, share their experiences freely and usually with longer explanations than those of men. And so we see from early on, some of the most distinct differences between men and women and their basic communication skills.

We also learn that just because the sexes communicate differently that doesn’t make one party wrong and the other right…it simply shows they are different. There is no right or wrong when it comes to communication. We also are informed during “He said/She said: Personal Communication Edition” that often the problems with communication begins as early as birth with girls being spoken to with softer, quieter voices by both men and women and boys being spoken to with more forceful, louder tones. The listener is also reminded that girls are often treated in a gentler manner than boys from early on in their lives and, which if accentuated, may lead to problems when they are women.

Later on in this series we are introduced to the idea that men place emphasis on respect while women emphasize “being liked” above being respected. Because of this difference, we see a softer approach from women and a sterner, more forceful approach from men. Differences also lie between the sexes as we learn that men seek independence in their lives and women seek interdependence. The main difference between the two can be as easy to explain as men not wanting to appear weak by asking for permission to do something and women checking with others (usually their husbands) before they make decisions within their lives. This boils down to independence in the male and interdependence in the female, neither of which usually can understand why the other acts the way they do when it comes to making decisions. This difference between males and females also comes into play when emotions are brought into the equation. In addition to the differences being discussed, the listener also is taught how to help the other sex when it comes to emotional moments in their respective lives.

This was an interesting CD and had valid points addressed within it, and although I found it to be like many others of its kind, it was also filled with common sense information and advice which when taken in the correct vein can only help the listener to be a better communicator.

If the listener is looking for a good start in understanding communication between the sexes, then this is as good a place as any to begin and if the listener is looking for more in depth, insight into communication between the sexes then this CD has a good base from which to begin. I would recommend this CD as a way to become a better communicator with the opposite sex. Taking into consideration what level of communication information the listener needs is vital in making the decision whether this CD will work or not and deciding before using it whether to implement it’s advice will take it from an “OK” CD to that which is above average in every way. This CD, “He Said/She Said: Personal Communication Edition,” has the potential to help better communication skills, but first the listener must be ready for what he/she hears within, and be willing to implement the advice given as well.

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