Faculty tackle better communication in new book
Jack Blendinger, Christy Derby and Angela Farmer
Three Mississippi State faculty members are authors of a new book on ways to improve personal communication skills.
"Communicate Like a Pro: A Practical Handbook for Pursuing Excellence in Oral and Written Communication" is the work of university professor Jack Blendinger, assistant professor Angela Farmer and lecturer Christy Derby.
All members of the College of Education's leadership and foundations department, they hold doctoral degrees from, respectively, the University of Northern Colorado, Oakland City (Indiana) University and MSU.
Published by Kendall Hunt Publishing Co., their 138-page guide provides strategies for leaders in business, education, philanthropic foundations, research institutes, service clubs, and volunteer service, among other areas.
An educator with six decades of professional experience, Blendinger said he considers communication excellence to be the most valuable skill any leader may possess.
"Communication represents the emotional glue that binds humans together in relationships, both professional and personal," he said. "The ability to communicate is what connects people to others, allowing them to control the circumstances in which they live and work."
In preparing content for "Communicate," Blendinger said he and his colleagues first read, critiqued and distilled numerous other works addressing English composition and public speaking.
Also drawing on his years as a school teacher, coach and administrator prior to joining the MSU faculty, Blendinger observed that most people tend to make about two dozen of the same English grammar errors each day.
"Our book focuses on the most common errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence construction and paragraph development that frequently lead to miscommunication and embarrassment," he said.
"Providing strategies to help make sure readers discontinue making these mistakes" was the authors' primary goal, he added.
Print copies of the book are $50 each; $40 for e-book versions. Purchases may be made online at www.kendallhunt.com/store-product.aspx?id=170301 and http://bit.ly/CommLikeAPro.
MSU's leadership and foundations department works to prepare education professionals to become leaders, scholars, administrators and teachers in global educational environments. For more information, visit www.leadershipandfoundations.msstate.edu or telephone 662-325-0969.
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Sasha Steinberg | Public Affairs
