Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding tool that gets results!
Review: As a coach to both individuals and groups, I see more costly problems in the workplace that revolve around the conversations that are not being had. Executives and high perofmance teams have been derailed by 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 be had. There are so many tools in this book that if it were not well organized and presented in stages, the reader would be overwhelmed. Why I and others are 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 particulalry 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!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent content, illustrated with clear diagrams
Review: I see now why now why my principal gave others and me this book. Earlier today our committee of educators came up with a new program to replace a set of undefined steps that had us three months in arrears in our caseload. The unanimous and accepted consensus, I believe, only came about from applying the ideas in Crucial Conversations. Those that had disagreed with the new program did behave badly, but this did not side track the process. Applying the authors advice of keeping focused on what I want enabled me to avoid being sucked in. I offer one snippet the books ideals. They say, If you behaved badly apologize but if your intentions have been misunderstood don't apologize do a clarifying "don't/do" statement: "Don't think I mean this awful thing you have been thinking. Do realize that I mean this." They indicate that such statements are just the beginning of repairing what they call safety. This repair was crucial to obtaining today's agreement. Try it!
Rating:
Summary: Good Read
Review: It's readable, makes sense, and offers valuable insights. It, and Susan Scott's <Fierce Conversations> are, in my opinion, the two best books available in this venue.
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