Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler are cofounders of VitalSmarts, an innovator in
corporate training and organizational performance.
Summary
Communicate best when it matters most! The definitive guide to clear, purpose-driven communication-revised and updated with new insights and powerful techniques
The classic guide to conversing in high-impact situations,Crucial Conversationshelps you get constructive results when emotions run high and opinions vary, in the workplace and beyond. It explains how to:
Transform negative feelings into powerful dialog
Make it safe to talk about almost anything
Be persuasive, not abrasive
Improve professional and personal relationships
Impact productivity, quality, and safety in a positive way
Praise forCrucial Conversations:
"Most books make promises. This one delivers. These skills have . . . generated new techniques for working together in ways that enabled us to win the largest contract in our industry's history." Dain M. Hancock, President, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
"The quality of your life comes out of the quality of your dialogues and conversations. Here's how to instantly uplift your crucial conversations." Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator of the #1New York Timesbestselling series Chicken Soup for the Soul
"This is a breakthrough book. I found myself being deeply influenced, motivated, and even inspired." from the Foreword by Stephen R. Covey, author ofThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, andAl Switzlerare top international corporate consultants and cofounders of Vitality Alliance, Inc., and VitalSmarts. Together they have developed corporate training programs for dozens of Fortune 500 companies. Their other books include theNew York TimesbestsellersInfluencerandCrucial Confrontations.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Foreword XI
Acknowledgments XV
Ch. 1 What's a Crucial Conversation? And Who Cares? 1
Ch. 2 Mastering Crucial Conversations: The Power of Dialogue 17
Ch. 3 Start with Heart: How to Stay Focused on What You Really Want 27
Ch. 4 Learn to Look: How to Notice When Safety Is at Risk 45
Ch. 5 Make It Safe: How to Make It Safe to Talk about Almost Anything 65
Ch. 6 Master My Stories: How to Stay in Dialogue When You're Angry, Scared, or Hurt 93
Ch. 7 State My Path: How to Speak Persuasively, Not Abrasively 119
Ch. 8 Explore Others' Paths: How to Listen When Others Blow Up or Clam Up 141
Ch. 9 Move to Action: How to Turn Crucial Conversations into Action and Results 161
Ch. 10 Putting It All Together: Tools for Preparing and Learning 179
Ch. 11 Yeah, But: Advice for Tough Cases 193
Ch. 12 Change Your Life: How to Turn Ideas into Habits 215
Endnotes 229
Index 231