The roots of this textbook extend back to 1984, when John Wiley and Sons published Managerial Communication: A Strategic Approach, by Larry Smeltzer and John Waltman. Their practical, results-oriented examination of managerial communication was ground- breaking at the time. In the Preface they stated the book’s objective: “to develop managers
who communicate in a creative manner by understanding and strategically applying appropriate concepts.” That objective is still valid.
A second edition added Don Leonard as third author in 1991. I adopted the 1994 edition, authored by Larry Smeltzer and Don Leonard, by then titled Managerial Communication: Strategies and Applications. I had been looking for a graduate-level text that presented a balanced approach to workplace communication and that was written for managers and executives.
These strengths drew me to that early edition:
?A strategic approach
?A solid research base
?Comprehensive coverage of contemporary issues
?An even-handed examination of oral and written communication channels
?A focus on managerial rather than entry-level competencies
I came onboard as third author with Smeltzer and Leonard for the 2002 edition and obtained sole authorship starting with the 2008 edition. As I revise yet again, my goal is to ensure that the qualities that made the original book unique and successful are still present in this sixth edition. Truth is truth. It does not change with the times. Therefore, my task is to bring timeless communication principles into the contemporary workplace. To meet the needs of today’s busy manager/student, I updated the chapters, describing current business practices, summarizing relevant research, and providing guidelines for strategic managerial communication.
The reality is that an effective contemporary manager must possess a wide range of skills. While being accountable to an executive team and a customer base, a manager must