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Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High |  | Authors: Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler, Stephen R. Covey
Publisher: McGraw-Hill
List Price: $16.95
Buy Used: $4.00
as of 11/21/2009 14:13 CST details
You Save: $12.95 (76%)
New (107) Used (210) Collectible (5) from $4.00
Seller: gwspokanebooks
Rating:  173 reviews
Sales Rank: 320
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Pages: 256
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.5
ISBN: 0071401946
Dewey Decimal Number: 153.6
UPC: 639785375159
EAN: 9780071401944
ASIN: 0071401946
Publication Date: June 18, 2002
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Foreword by Stephen R. Covey, Author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People A PAPERBACK ORIGINAL "Most books make promises. This one delivers. These skills have not only helped us to change the culture of our company, but have also 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 A powerful, seven-step approach to handling difficult conversations with confidence and skill "Crucial" conversations are interpersonal exchanges at work or at home that we dread having but know we cannot avoid. How do you say what needs to be said while avoiding an argument with a boss, child, or relationship partner? Crucial Conversations offers readers a proven seven-point strategy for achieving their goals in all those emotionally, psychologically, or legally charged situations that can arise in their professional and personal lives. Based on the authors' highly popular DialogueSmart training seminars, the techniques are geared toward getting people to lower their defenses, creating mutual respect and understanding, increasing emotional safety, and encouraging freedom of expression. Among other things, readers also learn about the four main factors that characterize crucial conversations, and they get a powerful six-minute mastery technique that prepares them to work through any highimpact situation with confidence.
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 173
 Tools for tough times November 7, 2009
Michael Dawson
75 out of 75 found this review helpful
I think the skills taught in Crucial Conversations are pertinent to everyone who needs to communicate better, and the light-hearted, engaging tone the authors use gets their points across clearly. By breaking down the tactful steps that must be taken along the way to a successful dialogue, the authors help us to develop better strategies for getting what we want.
We all face situations in life where things are tense and saying the right things is critical. This is what the authors call a "crucial conversation," as opposed to a casual discussion. Crucial conversations happen between two or more people when opinions vary, stakes are high, and emotions run strong. Whether you are approaching a boss who is breaking his or her own policies, giving feedback on a colleague's work, or talking to a team member who isn't keeping commitments, keeping the conversation productive can be very difficult.
The main technique the authors teach is the talent of dialogue. This is the free flow of meaning between two or more people. People who use this technique are able to find a way to get all relevant information from themselves and others out in the open and make it safe for everyone to add their meaning to the shared pool. These people try hard to ensure that all ideas find their way into the forum; and as this "pool of shared meaning" grows, it helps people by exposing them to more accurate and relevant information so they can make better decisions.
The book also offers a series of tools for understanding how we think about and prepare for problem situations. They posit that people must learn the skills of talking, listening and acting together, and must remember that successful dialogue, "Starts with heart." They suggest you begin high-risk discussions with the right motives, and then stay focused no matter what happens by knowing what you want. Never lose sight of the fact that the only person you can directly control is yourself. To stay focused on what you really want, pay attention to your motives whenever you find yourself moving toward silence or violence. Clarifying what you don't want will help you find healthy options to bring you to dialogue.
Since dialogue calls for a free flow of meaning, fear can kill the flow of meaning. Much of the book is focused on watching for negative emotions, like fear, that can derail a conversation. Since the book is about recognizing and navigating crucial conversations, it doesn't do much to help you learn to manage your emotions and the emotions of other people to keep a conversation on track.
I just came across a new book that teaches you how to manage your emotions, as well as read and manage other people's emotions, and it's the perfect companion to CC. It's called: Emotional Intelligence 2.0
Really informative! October 17, 2009
Tammy M. Turner (Metro Washington D.C.)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I heard one of the speakers, and knew that I needed to purchase this book to help with dealing with this type of situation. Great tool for any leader.
Excellent read! October 15, 2009
George W. Godfrey Jr. (San Antonio, Texas)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book should be required for anyone who is in a management type position. I read the book a little over a year ago - marking many pages. It has remained on my desk. After reading I put many of the suggestions in to practice. I was recently told that I really know how to handle "Crucial Conversations" in some very touchy situations. After that discussion I decided to read the book again - yes there was more to learn. Great read with some very useful information. @projectguy (Twitter)
 Book purchase September 14, 2009
cwd2001 (Baton Rouge LA)
Product arrived timely and in condition stated. I would buy from this seller again.
Crucial Conversations September 14, 2009
A. L. Martin (Bucks County, PA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is an exceptionally savvy and helpful book. I suspect it will make a difference in the lives of many readers.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 173
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