Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High

A strength: it was more than outward skills to "manipulate" other people. It encouraged people to develop genuine relationship, e.g. self reflection, empathy, win-win achievement.

Other strengths of the book:
· The whole chained process: get ready to dialogue Þ dialogue Þ decision making Þ assignments.
· Not only about handling yourself, but also our counterpart in a conversation.
· There were advices on specific circumstances.
· Simple language, useful examples. Easy to understand and not boring to read.

Readers usually doubt how much of the skills can they really pick up. This is always a concern to me, but I think at least weakness/problem awareness can help. The last chapter actually talked about how to absorb and to use the skills learnt.


Crucial for everyone!   August 24, 2002
6 out of 12 found this review helpful

I am a Financial Planner and I am always interested in works that help me to communicate with all types of people. I learned a great deal reading Crucial Conversations that I have already put to practice. It was an easy read with an abundance of information. I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to improve upon their communication skills. You can't help but enjoy yourself while you do it!!! Great Job. Chuck


Loved it!   August 24, 2002
Robin Dimiceli (Pleasanton, Ca United States)
4 out of 8 found this review helpful

As a business owner I am always looking for ways to improve, on a short time budget. This book was a delight to read. Very informitive, lots of new and useful information. I was able to put what I learned to use immediately. I would recommend it to anyone for both personal and business relationships. Sales people will definitley benefit. You wont want to put it down. I will look forward to the sequil(s) What a bargain!


This book is helping me to change my life.   August 22, 2002
Jeffery Gibbs (Lindon, UT United States)
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

A couple months ago I purchased Crucial Conversations for all my employees. Every two weeks we sit down and review what we've learned and what we need to do next. We are still learning, but we all have seen improvements in our ability to get things done. Additionally, the final results are improving.

I've used these tools in difficult conversations with investors and others and have found that I'm more disciplined in my approach to dialogue and persistent in getting it. I even use it with my family and together we are learning some of the key principles in the book. Not every argument goes away, but we at least love and respect each other at the end of the discussion.

The principles and tools taught in this book are helping me to change me. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone and I promise you'll see long lasting, positive results!


You may be better without this...   August 22, 2002
Mr_Joe (Brooklyn, New York USA)
13 out of 45 found this review helpful

Self help drivel! Some of the stuff in the book is common sense. However, other parts and proposals in this book, used incorrectly are quite the opposite of common sense, and would have to be used so carefully, it may not be feasible to use them in the REAL world. They can be down right dangerous.

Unless you are independently wealthy and can afford to lose a job or two, friends, and maybe even a significant other read this book. Others who have any sense of self really don't need this book at all.