Stop stereotyping. Avoid conflict. Skip small talk. Be open-minded to everyone’s opinions. These sound like good rules for life, but what if they are based on myths that actually prevent us from communicating effectively and appropriately with each other?

In Communication Myths: What We Know That Isn't So and What We Need to Know, J. Dan Rothwell debunks common misconceptions about our interactions with others that can easily result in embarrassment, insult, or catastrophe. These myths come from underappreciating the complexities of communication and relying on...