Becoming a Master Communicator by Renée Marino: Balancing New School Technology with Old School Simplicity is a refreshing look at the communication problems that have arisen for many of us due to new forms of technology. Renée shares how to use that technology to communicate better, and when it’s best to go back to old communication techniques.
We’ve all been there: We thought someone was mad at us because of a sentence in an email or text that didn’t come off with the intended tone. Before you fall down the rabbit hole of endless texts or silence from a friend or loved one, sometimes it’s better to try another technical communication. As Renée lyrically says, “When my brain starts to spin like a ball, I have to stop and call them!”
Becoming a Master Communicator is divided into ten chapters on communication techniques and situations. One bonus for the reader is that Renée shares personal stories from her own life to illustrate the points. In case you didn’t know, Renée has been very successful on Broadway and even landed the lead role of Mary Delgado, wife of Frankie Valli, in the movie Jersey Boys, after playing the role on Broadway. Renée’s story of how she mastered communication skills to succeed in her career convinces me that the tools she offers not only work, but can lead others to great success.
Renée begins by exploring the different ways that people communicate and helps us determine our own communication style. She discusses how technology has changed the way we communicate, giving us various means to communicate with each other, from speaking in person to phone calls, emails, text messages, and video calls. She weighs the pros and cons of each form of communication and when it is best to use each.
The rest of the chapters discuss how to communicate in various aspects of our lives, from personal relationships to work situations, and practices for learning to communicate effectively. Ultimately, this journey to becoming a communication master is not just about communicating, but about using your communication skills to transform yourself into the person you want to be. Each chapter is peppered with Reflection Sections so you can pause, absorb, and practice what you’ve learned.
A standout for me was Renée’s honesty in talking about the role of communication in dating. Too often in relationships, people fail to communicate who they really are and what they really want. They fear rejection or finding out that the other person doesn’t want what they want, but Renée points out that communication is vital in such situations. “I realize that being vulnerable can be scary. You may feel that sharing your expectations openly can scare the other person and you will be left alone and heartbroken. But let me ask you a question: Wouldn’t you rather know that now than in ten years? If you can flip the script and realize that vulnerability is a key ingredient to strong relationships, then you won’t be as afraid.”
Renée’s discussion of setting expectations up front is also revealing. Today, she’s a communication coach, so she draws on an example from her own work to make her point. “Now, in my current job as a communication coach, when I teach any course, I make sure to verbally indicate what attendees can expect from the course and what the course is not about. That way everyone has all the information up front. , and there is no gray area that causes communication problems.”
Renée also clarifies that “Communication does not mean confrontation.” It’s just about being honest and direct about who we are, what we need, and being authentic. Communication is not always about us either. Sometimes it’s about others. Renée believes in the power of kindness, of seeing and recognizing others. I love the story she shares of how, after a Pretty Woman performance, she walked out the stage door and saw a woman smiling, so she walked up to her and signed her sign. “We started talking and she told me that she had been fighting breast cancer for many years. After she shared her story with me, I told her, ‘If you can find a way to stay happy as long as you can, that’s the best thing you can do. can do for her health. She responded, ‘Between watching this show today and you stopping to talk to me, I’ve been happier today than I’ve been in a long time!'” Renée was surprised to see how her simple act of kindness made a difference to this woman. and she went home that night feeling completely fulfilled. In short, communication can help transform people’s lives.
Finally, Renée shares her story of how she played the role of Mary Delgado in Jersey Boys on Broadway and then landed the same role in the movie. In addition to showing how she used her communication skills to achieve her life’s dream, she shares stories about filming and how she met Clint Eastwood, Christopher Walken and others, as well as the communication skills she used. in the set. Ultimately, she expresses how utterly grateful she is to have had that experience, stating that “whatever we express gratitude for shows up more in our lives.”
I am grateful to Renée for sharing the communication skills she has learned and is now training others. Becoming a Master Communicator has made me rethink my own use of technology in a number of ways. It has also made me think beyond the message I want to communicate about how that message will be received and how it will affect others. Ultimately, it has made me believe that my relationships with others are of the utmost importance, so I need to do my best to communicate well with others to improve those relationships. I hope you read this book and enjoy similar benefits.