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Summary: One of my Three Best Business Books of 2002!
Review: I am an unabashed fan of this book! I've read hundreds of business books over the years, many about communications skills and conflict resolution. I thought I had read everything there was until I picked up this book. I can't speak about the personal / family uses, but in just two weeks, this book has made a profound difference in my interactions in some fairly sticky business situations and in my coaching practice as well.
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Summary: "I didn't know it was possible to be both honest and kind!"
Review: Crucial Conversations offers a well organized approach to examining those very select conversations that we all have where the stakes are high, there's a difference of opinion and there is an emotional investment. How these conversations are handled truly separates the good from the best. A friend of mine, who read this material revealed to me that they wished that they had understood (in the early years of marriage) that "it is possible to be both honest and kind". My friend believed that this would have potentially saved the relationship with their spouse.These are the conversation in which we find ourselves responding in the grip of our style under stress, inevitably behaving in ways that lead us farther and farther away from our deepest-held objectives. The power of recalling what we really want in a crucial conversation that has moved toward silence (withdrawing, attacking, avoiding) or violence (labeling, contolling, attacking)offers transforming potential for sharing tough content honestly and respectfully. The format of this book offers the reader a nicely structured set of 7 principles, associated skills and easy to use key questions and anecdotal examples for practical application. All together Crucial Conversations has all the makings of a communication bible for those interested in expanding their influence, leveraging the wisdom of a group and enriching their relationships.
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Summary: "Crucial" Hits a Home Run
Review: The last thing the world needs is another book on communication, yet "Crucial Conversations" cuts through the maze of pscho babble and provides practical insights in a creative format. The case studies alone were worth the time. Well worth the read for those who lead change, work with or in teams, or see authentic communication as an important competency worth developing.
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Summary: This Book is REQUIRED READING for my Company!
Review: PAY THE [money] this book costs and avoid costly litigation, improve your communication, better manage expectations, defuse pent up emotions, and let your company be more productive! I just finished Crucial Conversations and the first thing that I did as I laid down the book, was to log on to Amazon and order 30 copies to give to the managers within my company. I am the owner of my company of 600 employees and I am constantly searching for better ways to improve communication among our staff and employees. I am going to make sure that my HR team includes these principles into their training. As I read through this book, I found that so many of our issues within the company would have been eliminated or diminished if we had embraced and utilized the tools laid out within this book. I could have avoided a costly lawsuit if these principles had been utilized when we were disciplining and eventually terminating an unproductive employee. The authors have blended the humor of Dilbert, with the vision of Stephen Covey, with the practicality of consultants who have been down in the trenches of some of the biggest corporations in the US. It is an easy and enjoyable read. I also found as I read the book that I kept thinking about how to use these tools to improve the conversations in my personal life, with my wife and with my children. I would love to see a second book that focused on Crucial Conversations at Home.
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Summary: Practical Wisdom
Review: Crucial Conversations is one of those rare books that deals with an extremely important topic, provides new insights and combines that with actionable advice. The book is interestingly written with examples from all aspects of people's lives. It is chock-full of wisdom, but most importantly, the author's give you excellent ways to apply it. Crucial Conversations is a "crucial" read for leaders. Jack Zenger
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Summary: Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are Hig
Review: This book provides practical tools to use in highly emotional and very important conversations at home, work, or in other situations. This book will be a staple for anyone who works in a job that requires conversation. Using these tools will change your life. Everyone should read this book.
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Summary: Exceptional, insightful guidance for bright leaders
Review: I have followed the work of Joseph, Kerry and Ron for years and they just keep getting smarter and giving better, more insightful, more practical guidance. This work is easily digestible, funny and absolutely stolen from every day life in business. In my view, one of the things that just kills organizational vitality is a shared inability to deal with the tough stuff that grows between us: performance issues, strategic differences of opinion, mission shift, contentious relationships, etc. "Crucial Conversations" is just a great guide for how to address difficult issues and how to create an environment where others can do it, too. This book is just terrific.
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Summary: Outstanding tool that gets results!
Review: As a coach to both individuals and groups, I see the very costly problems in the workplace that result from the important conversations that are not occurring because they are too hard or scary. The cost includes harm to relationships, careers and the bottom line. Both executives and high performance teams have been derailed by not addressing the dead elephants in the room. Crucial Conversations is absolutely the best book on the subject of difficult and critical communication. The book is very well organized, presenting clear steps to create an environment in which the hard conversation can happen. There are so many tools in this book that if it were not so well organized and presented in stages, the reader would be overwhelmed. The authors handle this very well - you can tell there was experience and expertise in adult learning informing the structure of the book. Why my clients and I become so excited about the book is its immediate results. You can start using the concepts and skills before you have finished the book! The foundations of making the environment safe - even for someone you may not like or respect is particularly effective. I have been very pleased with the results I have experienced - as well as my clients. Every leader should have this book on their bookshelf! A bonus to readers is the continued support from the authors on their website described in the book. There is a wealth of additional information, interactive reviews, assessments and even video vignettes that illustrate the learning points with relevance and humor. For those truly smitten, there are training courses available to assist in obtaining personal mastery or even to teach the material if desired. I recommend this book and Primal Leadership to top-level executives in the federal government and private sector. I, and they, have never been disappointed at the difference it has made. Enjoy!
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Summary: I am not entirely sold on this one
Review: I bought this book because: 1) I want to be better in communication (in general) and; 2) it had great reviews (Steve Covey!!). I finished it in 4 days and must say I was not all that impressed.
It reads like a text-book in that they (the authors) are always asking us to apply some new system of operation. They remind us that one reading is not enough and much time must be spent in mastering their principles. The principles do appear correct, well considered, and are clearly proposed. They are certainly getting back to the basics of communication and there are a few wonderful revelations (but nothing earth shattering).
Further, the book has a behavioral science/study feel to it but no footnotes or extensive referencing is made. The case studies are general and simple- the examples throughout the book are slightly feeble and even more simple. I was continually bothered in reading a book based on years of "research" which was void of notated study/notes/details. In the end, it lacks experiemental conviction and convincing.
I appreciated the effort made to present information and models in simple ways. I appreciate the motivational tone of the book. But, I was seeking something new and exciting- some earth shattering information based on years of study.
In the end, this book is a simplistic discussion of healthy dialogue which is presented in clever models. It is not a page turner!!
Its greatest flaw is the absence of solid case study or examples; its greatest strength is its simple presentation and kind tone.
There has got to be better texts available on the subject....
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Summary: Somewhat eye opening
Review: The book's thesis is simple: master the few critical conversations that either make or break your career and personal relationships and you can greatly enhance your satisfaction. Unfortunately, we often bungle these crucial conversations precisely because these conversations are important and emotionally charged. Our own bodily functions and emotions block our own ability to rationally and calmly analyze the situation and speak in the language and tone required to resolve delicate and complex situations.
The main problem with the book is its explaination on how to master these crucial conversations. The author writes 150 pages worth of conversational techniques. From my experience, communication is not a technique, but a blend of one's experience, emotion, intellect, physicality (body language and voice), and genetic disposition. Although everyone can improve their communication skills, I believe reading about few steps in a book is hardly effective or worthwhile.
Instead, I think the author should have focused on the crux of his methdology. That is, mastering crucial conversations involves controlling one's emotions (emotional intelligence) in a way that one does not lose emotional equilibrium despite one's almost irresisitble desire to do so in critical situations.
But I have a feeling the book would have been less than 100 pages if the author had chosen such route. And such a short, albeit more effective, book does not make for best sellers.
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