felinity's review against another edition
5.0
This was loaned to me by my mentor, and I was very glad for it! (Especially as he said I could keep it.)
We all tend to shy away from difficult conversations, in part because we don't like the awkwardness but also because we don't know how to prepare. This book explains 3 key "conversations" that tend to happen under the words we say, with very clear examples to demonstrate how it went off the rails, and how to reconcile each viewpoint without avoiding conflict or failing to address the issue at hand.
Great strategies, and a book I'll no doubt be referring to often. I've still got plenty of key pages bookmarked!
We all tend to shy away from difficult conversations, in part because we don't like the awkwardness but also because we don't know how to prepare. This book explains 3 key "conversations" that tend to happen under the words we say, with very clear examples to demonstrate how it went off the rails, and how to reconcile each viewpoint without avoiding conflict or failing to address the issue at hand.
Great strategies, and a book I'll no doubt be referring to often. I've still got plenty of key pages bookmarked!
gcullman's review against another edition
4.0
Lots of good food for thought here. I would love to be able to participate in a class to practice implementing these principles.
mfcotter's review against another edition
3.0
A bit long on the psychological background on why we have a hard time with certain conversation but overall, really useful.
juliasbooklife's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
morgan3llis's review against another edition
4.0
This book is definitely helpful for those in consultancy/advising roles but the angle of the book is strange. The strategy is largely about how you influence people to do what you want, especially in professional setting, and how to have constructive and less defensive conversions. It was funny to me to see the framing of “learning conversations” because in my line of work we call that “playing dumb”.
The book is also quite repetitive and could be about half the length. Some of the examples also seem very outdated (like about sexual harassment in the work place)...
The book is also quite repetitive and could be about half the length. Some of the examples also seem very outdated (like about sexual harassment in the work place)...
senevilla's review against another edition
Lots of really great ideas in this book but it badly needs a revised edition. Some of the off hand examples are a little too “both sides”-y when it comes to domestic violence and racism. Those specific difficult conversations as it were demand more nuance than a couple of sentences each could possibly provide. In terms of content otherwise 5/5, leaving unrated.
kfloyd87's review against another edition
4.0
Easy read, sounds useful. We shall see how it actually works in person!
birdy1luv's review against another edition
5.0
This book is fantastic! Super practical, really insightful. I found myself applying the principles almost immediately with my wife, in our church, @ work. I'm a fan! (Started immediately looking for ways to get trained in these techniques and found that the only training costs like $5000. And is in Boston. oh well...)