Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most Paperback – 3 Nov. 2011

I was enticed to this book as I’m aware that engaging difficult conversations is something I naturally shy away from, creating all kinds of negative consequences in myself and my work/life situations that are unhelpful to meThe book is packed with relevant examples, and lots of ideas on how to rethink approach to these issues. Importantly it also tackles the “how you apply this theory in the real world” point as thats often where I struggle in converting the stylised examples to that which relate to my own circumstances.I’ve found myself rethinking lots of my own narrative, taking notes on how to approach future situations and with a degree of confidence (and excitement!) in tackling some of my own difficult conversations in order to improve my own mindset, my relationships and the outcomes delivered

Helped dealing with people at work so I would recommend but you need to read more about it as I didnt find it exhaustive

This is a succinct insight into the type of conversation we potentially have with a difficult family member, the server who gives you a cold coffee or a tricky business situation. The layout is well structured, breaking each of the main points down further and further to create an easy to follow guide to understanding and navigating an aspect of daily life that most of us evidently don't manage very well.I read it from perspective of the dispute resolution work I do and it is highly relevant to anyone who works with the general public in any context. It is also clear that what great books like this with universal truths tend to reveal is that it is applicable to all aspects of life, none more so than our closest relationships when we tend to throw all logic and reason out the window in difficult conversations.Pertinent and varied examples illustrate each point and unlike many of the snake oil 'improve your life in 7 steps' type stuff out there this book is relevant, intelligent and I got to the finish feeling like I'd learned something to use in my daily life.

If you’re not a full cup of water, you’ll definitely be able to learn something from this book. It offers invaluable insights into the challenging nature of communication when the stakes are high. Drawing from years of experience through the Harvard Negotiation Project, this book provides practical advice for navigating those tough conversations that often leave people feeling misunderstood, hurt, or frustrated.One of the core messages in this book is the importance of self-awareness and understanding the other party in a conversation. The authors emphasize that successful communication starts with recognizing your own emotions, thoughts, and assumptions, while also striving to understand the perspective of the person you’re talking to. This approach helps to break down barriers and leads to more productive and empathetic discussions.Through a series of case studies and real-life scenarios, the authors analyze and provide solutions to common communication pitfalls. These examples illustrate how to handle conversations ranging from personal relationships to professional conflicts, making the advice applicable to a broad audience.In the new edition, the authors have thoughtfully added answers to the ten most frequently asked questions by readers, addressing common concerns and providing additional strategies for effectively navigating difficult conversations. This section enriches the book by offering tailored advice on recurring challenges people face when trying to communicate more effectively.

This book popped up as a book recommendation to me on Amazon. It could not have appeared in my life at a more appropriate time. It certainly has already influenced my approach to communication at work and at home. No easy feat as the lone foreigner working in a bank in Mongolia.I unfortunately had to wait until my 50s to read this book, but I think it is excellent to read and apply to your communication at any age. I only wish I had read and used this book in my early 20s. Strongly recommended!

Not a bad reference book for those starting to develop ideas to this subject but does not reveal anything new or that has not been discussed or trained before. But the discounted price was worth the purchase.

I recommend the reading of this book because it will help you how to better handle difficult conversations in a constructive way.The author defines a set of 3 dimensions of a conversation and that is the start point for the conversation analysis.You may achieve a better way of understanding conversations.One note: I think it is difficult to adopt quickly some of the techniques presented. From the theory to practice it is not easy and takes time to learn.

An all time classic that should be a part of just about everyone’s library. My only grumble is not about the book or its content, it’s the incredibly small text that causes me a lot of eye strain!