Rating: 
Summary: Fierce Conversations
Review: "Fierce...robust, intense, strong, powerful, passionate, eager" - good words for real relating. Susan Scott puts it into her four purposes of a fierce conversation: interrogate reality, provoke learning, tackle tough challenges, and enrich realtionships. Like most really useful authors, she stresses individual responsibility. There are useful checklists and reviews. "Burnout happens, not because we're trying to solve problems, but because we're trying to solve the same problem over and over." This quote begins the 4th chapter - "Tackle Your Toughest Challenge Today," which has techniques for getting to the core of the difficulty in looking for a solution. It is one of many useful approaches in this book. I will share this book with others as well as continue to learn from it. Like all books of this kind (self help), only putting the ideas into action makes a real difference, however, the perspectives gained from reading are of value in and of themselves. The book is indexed, which I like, although not a great index. Occasionally, I felt the author introduced an idea without quite enough follow-through; still, I found a lot to value. Other books in the same vein that I value are the books from the Harvard Law School Negotiation Project (such as Difficult Conversations, and Getting to Yes), Tongue Fu by Sam Horn, and, to stretch the vein a bit, Everyday Ethics by Joshua Halberstam.
Rating:
Summary: Fierce Conversations
Review: "Fierce...robust, intense, strong, powerful, passionate, eager" - good words for real relating. Susan Scott puts it into her four purposes of a fierce conversation: interrogate reality, provoke learning, tackle tough challenges, and enrich realtionships. Like most really useful authors, she stresses individual responsibility. There are useful checklists and reviews. "Burnout happens, not because we're trying to solve problems, but because we're trying to solve the same problem over and over." This quote begins the 4th chapter - "Tackle Your Toughest Challenge Today," which has techniques for getting to the core of the difficulty in looking for a solution. It is one of many useful approaches in this book. I will share this book with others as well as continue to learn from it. Like all books of this kind (self help), only putting the ideas into action makes a real difference, however, the perspectives gained from reading are of value in and of themselves. The book is indexed, which I like, although not a great index. Occasionally, I felt the author introduced an idea without quite enough follow-through; still, I found a lot to value. Other books in the same vein that I value are the books from the Harvard Law School Negotiation Project (such as Difficult Conversations, and Getting to Yes), Tongue Fu by Sam Horn, and, to stretch the vein a bit, Everyday Ethics by Joshua Halberstam.
Rating:
Summary: Face conversations you've avoided with poise and confidence
Review: Congratulations to Susan Scott for writing a book that will inevitably help many who have developed patterns of avoidance in their most important conversations to approach them with confidence and poise. This book will change lives!
Joseph Grenny
Rating:
Summary: A Fierce (robust) Book
Review: Fierce Conversation starts with the premise that "the conversation is the relationship" and we must have Fierce (robust) Conversation's in all of our relationships -- business and personal. It is far more encompassing then other recent conversation books on how to have "crucial" or "critical" conversations only. It's a guidebook on how to make relationships meaningful and successful. It's simplicity of focusing on "one conversation at a time" avoids the pitfall of a relationship deteriorating in Scott's words "slowly then suddenly". It's a book whose processes I am able to put into action immediately. I can readily see how starting with one conversation at a time will lead to mastery and enrich relationships. The examples are vivid and easy to visualize and remember. I actually look forward to having Fierce Conversations with my colleagues, customers, employees, and family. I highly recommend Fierce Conversations. Philip E. Fine
Chief Executive Officer
Premier Distribution Services, Inc.
Somerset, NJ
Rating:
Summary: Fierce Conversations
Review: Fierce Conversations should be read and re-read by anyone interested in creating a meaningful relationship with a co-worker, a family member, or anyone in their life. As an Executive Coach and Consultant, I find that this book provides reasons and methods to strengthen and create "win-win" relationships...in business and in life.... one conversation at a time! Excellent, Excellent, Excellent!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Resource
Review: I bought the book on CD, listened to it, and immediately listened to it a second time. It contains invaluable information for self-help, business and/or leadership development. Practical examples that stress the importance of being earnest with yourself and in your day to day discussions. I assumed from the title this was a book about confrontation - it was not, it was about encouraging (and accepting) honesty and constructive feedback in all your human contact.
Rating: 
Summary: DISAPPOINTING - NOTHING NEW
Review: I bought this book with the hope that I would find something new in "Fierce" but instead found the same old clichés that have been around for a long long time. The author uses quotes for other literary people in an attempt to provide credibility for ideas that have been around the block before and frankly have been better presented by others. This book is a complete disappointment.
Rating:
Summary: A Real Breakthrough in More Effective Communications
Review: I have seen this great book unfolding over the years as I have learned from her training sessions and listened to Susan Scott and seen her fierce determination to communicate about the "the art of communication". So much of our interaction and communication over the years is rendered ineffective because we use the wrong words, avoid conflict, or have the "put off to later" attitude. Susan has captured the answers to clear communication in a way that makes it possible for all of us to be great communicators. The exercises are extremely helpful and the step by step approach helps to make more concrete the skill sets. Her examples enliven and enrich the concepts and make them real. There have been many books written on communication. This one captures at the deepest and yet most basic level the simple rules to make "all" conversations effective both in business and in our personal lives. Ultimately we all have the same objectives: to improve relationships, to listen better, to communicate more effectively, and to be understood. Thank you, Susan, for giving us the very best way to get there "one conversation at a time!"
Rating:
Summary: Not as Helpful as "Difficult Conversations."
Review: I listened to both this and "Difficult Conversations." I found that "Diffiicult Conversations" offered much more helpful, concrete advice, and the material was much better organized. I was disappointed that the emphasis of "Firece Conversatons" was almost entirely on business related conversations. Example after example focused on her executive clients. After listening to this program, I felt no more prepared for conversations with friends and family than before. There were a few helpful ideas, but they were presented much more clearly in "Difficult Conversations." "Difficult Conversations" gave me real, practical strategies that have made a big difference in my ease in bringing up tricky conversations and working through them with positive results.
Rating:
Summary: Not as Helpful as "Difficult Conversations."
Review: I listened to both this and "Difficult Conversations." I found that "Diffiicult Conversations" offered much more helpful, concrete advice, and the material was much better organized. I was disappointed that the emphasis of "Firece Conversatons" was almost entirely on business related conversations. Example after example focused on her executive clients. After listening to this program, I felt no more prepared for conversations with friends and family than before. There were a few helpful ideas, but they were presented much more clearly in "Difficult Conversations." "Difficult Conversations" gave me real, practical strategies that have made a big difference in my ease in bringing up tricky conversations and working through them with positive results.
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