Bob Matha and Macy Boehm (Jossey-Bass, $27.95)

Babble masks critical information with convoluted, evasive language full of hyperbole, mind- numbing slide shows, confusing metrics and buzzwords. To employees, babble is corporate propaganda. The result: They disengage, productivity falls, and leaders lose trust and respect.

Babble's antidote: "On-strategy communication," a conversation that translates what needs to be done and why. It clarifies priorities.

On-strategy communication gives voice to those doing the work. If they know management values their input, employees take ownership of their jobs. Productivity increases, as does confidence in leadership.

This communication strategy says those closest to the job are best suited to making local decisions. But that only makes sense if leaders believe their employees' collective knowledge trumps theirs. That may be a tough pill to swallow for egocentric managers.

The strategy abandons command-and-control communication and places a premium on the interpersonal skills of managers.

Judith Katz and Frederick Miller (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, $12)

The book's message: Get out of your under-the-radar comfort zone. You can't tap all your abilities otherwise.

The thought of being big can be frightening. You take big chances by offering ideas, asking questions and tackling assignments no one wants. You take on responsibility and accountability, too.

But there's a big upside. You will make an impact; you will learn; you will become the go-to person. Why short- change yourself? Realize your potential. Big develops confidence. The better you feel about you, the bigger you will be.

But the road to big is not traveled alone. Respect the diverse talent and skills of those around you. Learn from what they've done, and help them get big. Great things happen when partnerships are formed.

Jim Pawlak reviews business books for The Dallas Morning News.

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