[Book Summary] The Brain-Based Guide to Communicating Better—Professor Allison Friederichs Atkison

 Rating: ★★★☆☆

(Written with aid of ChatGPT.)

1. “You are the only thing you can change in a conversation.”

Atkison emphasizes that while you can’t control others’ reactions, you can control your own words, tone, pacing, and nonverbal cues. Improving your delivery is the most effective path to better communication.

2. Memory retention via “irrelevant interest”

The book explains that when a surprising or seemingly irrelevant detail captures attention, it triggers deeper memory encoding. Using curious anecdotes or unexpected elements helps listeners remember the core message longer.

3. Practical communication strategies

* Use multiple modalities—visuals, questions, stories—to maintain engagement.

* Pause or stop talking when interruptions (like phones) occur—prompting undivided attention.

* Connect to listeners’ existing experiences. Ask questions like:

  > “What’s your experience with…?” or “Do you remember when…?”

4. Finaly Thoughts

Though interesting, the course is superficial and lacks depth. It doesn't dive into advanced or nuanced communication skills. As a result, I won't call it a "Guide" but a "Intro."