Start reading Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are H... on your Kindle in under a minute. Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here.

Deliver to your Kindle or other device

 
 
 

Try it free

Sample the beginning of this book for free

Deliver to your Kindle or other device

Read books on your computer or other mobile devices with our FREE Kindle Reading Apps.
Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition
 
 
Read the book description
Share your own customer images

Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition [Kindle Edition]

Kerry Patterson (Author), Al Switzler (Author), Ron McMillan (Author), Joseph Grenny (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews) |
Digital List Price: $18.00 What's this?
Print List Price: $18.00
Kindle Price: $9.00 includes free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet
You Save: $9.00 (50%)

Formats

 Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition $9.00   -- --
Hardcover $18.05   -- --
Paperback $12.12   -- --
Audio, CD --   -- --

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The New York Times bestseller that changed the way millions communicate

“[Crucial Conversations] draws our attention to those defining moments that literally shape our lives, our relationships, and our world. . . . This book deserves to take its place as one of the key thought leadership contributions of our time.”
—from the Foreword by Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

“The quality of your life comes out of the quality of your dialogues and conversations. Here’s how to instantly uplift your crucial conversations.”
—Mark Victor Hansen, cocreator of the #1 New York Times bestselling series Chicken Soup for the Soul®

The first edition of Crucial Conversations exploded onto the scene and revolutionized the way millions of people communicate when stakes are high. This new edition gives you the tools to:

  • Prepare for high-stakes situations
  • Transform anger and hurt feelings into powerful dialogue
  • Make it safe to talk about almost anything
  • Be persuasive, not abrasive

About the Author

Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler are cofounders of VitalSmarts, an innovator in corporate training and organizational performance.
www.vitalsmarts.com

Product Details

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
61 of 63 people found the following review helpful
For when things get crucial September 16, 2011
Format:Paperback
We all face situations in life where things are tense and saying the right things is crucial. This is what the authors call a "crucial conversation." As opposed to a casual discussion, crucial conversations happen between two or more people when opinions vary, stakes are high, and emotions run strong. Whether you are approaching a boss who is breaking his or her own policies, critiquing a colleague's work, or talking to a team member who isn't keeping commitments, keeping the conversation productive can be very difficult.

The main technique the authors teach is the talent of dialogue. This is the free flow of meaning between two or more people. People who use this technique are able to find a way to get all relevant information from themselves and others out in the open and make it safe for everyone to add their meaning to the shared pool. These people try hard to ensure that all ideas find their way into the forum; and as this "pool of shared meaning" grows, it helps people by exposing them to more accurate and relevant information so they can make better decisions.

In this, the 2nd edition, the book ads access to new material including a video vault that illustrates each of the authors' techniques being acted out, new case studies, and new tools to help you maneuver effectively through crucial conversations. This wise and witty guide gives you the tools you need to step up to life's most difficult and important conversations, say what's on your mind, and achieve positive outcomes. You'll learn how to:

* Prepare for high-impact situations with a six-minute mastery technique
* Make it safe to talk about almost anything
* Be persuasive, not abrasive
* Keep listening when others blow up or clam up
* Turn crucial conversations into the action and results you want

All in all a great book for developing advanced people skills. Another must read in this genre is Emotional Intelligence 2.0.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
23 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Although this book has already sold over 2 million copies, I did not pick one up until this second edition came out. Crucial Conversations is the type of book that you can recommend to just about anyone and have them thank you for it. It has valuable, practical tools that will help you have conversations that are useful in very real ways. Whether you are looking for conversation advice in business, marriage, love, friendship, or just about anything else, this book will help you push through your emotions and accomplish your real purpose in conversation.

The authors start off with a detailed discussion on what makes someone successful. They argue, unsurprisingly, that it is the ability to effectively communicate and not be locked into a Fool's Choice when making hard decisions. Fool's Choice is a false either/or dichotomy and the authors do a great job of exposing it, maybe the best I have seen in print.

After arguing why conversations are so important, the authors go on to give you the tools to help you communicate effectively. Some of the best takeaways include:

* The advice on page 46,47 on overcoming Fool's Choice's. Great advice, extremely helpful for all.

* The Chapter 5 tools for creating a Mutual Purpose. "Lord, help me to forgive those who sin differently than I."

* The advice in Chapter 6 on how to reframe your stories and control emotions. Very good, especially the section on taking another look at victims, villains, and the helpless.

* The last three chapters are very practical explanations and tools from the rest of the book. If you aren't sure if this book is right for you, just flip to Chapter 10 and read through some scenario's where conversation is crucial and you will be convinced.

Though I have not read the first edition, there are some great bonuses in the second. You get access to the authors' video archive with many of the conversation tools acted out. There is also an online test to measure your "Style Under Stress", a Crucial Conversations visual model, and real life stories about how Crucial Conversations has helped others throughout.

Some of these things are obvious, some of them aren't. Though you are probably skilled in some areas already, this book will help you see the motivation behind your actions and help you see what needs to be done to improve other areas. This is a valuable book and recommended to all - I wish I had found it sooner.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
The Proof is in the Pudding December 7, 2011
Format:Paperback
Despite the title, this book is not just about communication. It's primarily about how to get consistently good results. Most of us add value to our organizations (companies, teams, families) not by virtue of our technical competencies, but rather by our ability to relate to and with other human beings. That relating is primarily through conversation.

The authors define a "crucial conversation" as one with three ingredients: high stakes, opposing opinions, and strong emotions. A routine conversation can become crucial in an instant (just ask any parent of teenagers). In the workplace there are plenty of risky conversations: asking for a raise, holding a peer accountable, challenging an idea proposed by the boss.

This book is a virtual users manual for anyone interested in getting better results in every kind of relationship. You'll learn how to "Get Unstuck" by spotting those results that aren't satisfactory, then identifying the crucial conversations you're either not having or not having well. You'll learn how to "Start With Heart" by challenging your own motivations. You'll "Learn to Look" for "silence" and "violence" (clam up or blow up) behaviors that are deadly to relationships. You'll discover "Make It Safe" skills that enable you and others to navigate through the most risky subjects. You'll learn to "Master Your Stories" by distinguishing more clearly between observations and conclusions, facts and assumptions. You'll learn skills that make it possible to listen with a level of empathy you never thought possible.

This second edition of this book is even better than the first. It includes, among other goodies, links to videos so you can see actors demonstrating the skills.

Crucial Conversations is a bestseller because the practices it teaches simply work. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Thought Provoking Material
I have not completed the book but so far I really like the fact that the material makes me think about my actions and reactions to others depending upon the situation. Read more
Published 12 hours ago by PamP
Packaging was a bit of a mess
The product arrived in decent shape, but the packaging messed up the cover. Not a huge deal since it's a paperback, but still kind of annoying.
Published 1 day ago by Amazon Addict
Essential Reading
This is an excellent book for anyone who wants to improve on their dialogue skills when emotions and adrenaline get in the way. Read more
Published 25 days ago by trent.garner
worth a read
This book was recommended to me by my son. I found it refreshing and insightful. Recommended it to about 10 people. Worth the read.
Published 1 month ago by Joann Harvey
A book worth reading over and over again
This is my second copy of the book and I'm reading it a second time this year. It's a book I will read over and over the rest of my life. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Michael A. Uhl
great book!
being focused in conversation is really a gamechanger. it could help you understand some toughts you may not understand when you're not into something. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Giulio C.
Crucial Conversations Review
Very good book. I had been going through some stuff with a roommate and this book really helped me keep calm and be progressive in how I dealt with the problem. Read more
Published 3 months ago by wolf
OK Book I guess
There is great information in this book but actually stopping a crucial conversation to refer to the helpful hints seems unlikely. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Trudy Myers
Simply a Must Read (Postive Impacts on Your Whole Life Await)
Okay, I get I rarely give anything short of a glowing review of most books. Yes, I tend to see the positive in even books with some short comings. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Chris Antrim
Highly Useful Communications Toolkit for Leaders
After years of working with (and in) a multitude of corporate teams, I've come to the realization that there is a perennial gripe and accurate explanation for weak performance,... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Danilo Vargas
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

Book Extras from the Shelfari Community

(What's this?)

To add, correct, or read more Book Extras for Crucial Conversations , visit Shelfari, an Amazon.com company.

More About the Author

› Visit Amazon's Kerry Patterson Page
Kerry Patterson
ABOUT VITALSMARTS:
An innovator in corporate training and organizational performance, VitalSmarts is home to multiple training offerings, including Crucial Conversations', Crucial Confrontations', and Influencer'. Each course improves key organizational outcomes by focusing on high-leverage skills and strategies. The Company also has three New York Times bestselling books, Influencer, Crucial Conversations and Crucial Confrontations. VitalSmarts has been ranked twice by Inc. magazine as one of the fastest-growing companies in America and has taught more than 2 million people worldwide.

www.vitalsmarts.com

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Kerry Patterson has authored award-winning training programs and led multiple long-term change efforts. He received the prestigious 2004 BYU Marriott School of Management Dyer Award for outstanding contribution in organizational behavior. He did doctoral work in organizational behavior at Stanford University.

Joseph Grenny is an acclaimed keynote speaker and consultant who has designed and implemented major corporate change initiatives for the past 20 years. He is also a cofounder of Unitus, a nonprofit organization that helps the world's poor achieve economic self-reliance.

David Maxfield is a leading researcher and frequent conference speaker on topics ranging from dialogue skills to performance improvement. He did doctoral work in psychology at Stanford University, where he studied personality theory and interpersonal-skill development.

Ron McMillan is a sought-after speaker and consultant. He cofounded the Covey Leadership Center, where he served as vice president of research and development. He has worked with leaders ranging from first-level managers to corporate executives on topics such as leadership and team development.

Al Switzler is a renowned consultant and speaker who has directed training and management initiatives with dozens of Fortune 500 companies worldwide. He is on the faculty of the Executive Development Center at the University of Michigan.

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?

› Explore similar items

Popular Highlights

 (What's this?)
&quote;
What do I really want for myself? What do I really want for others? What do I really want for the relationship? &quote;
Highlighted by 102 Kindle users
&quote;
The problem is not the content of your message, but the condition of the conversation. &quote;
Highlighted by 76 Kindle users
&quote;
Actually, it helps to watch for three different conditions: the moment a conversation turns crucial, signs that people dont feel safe (silence or violence), and your own Style Under Stress. &quote;
Highlighted by 74 Kindle users

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

 (What's this?)
Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product).
 
(40)
(13)
(6)
(4)
(4)
(5)
(3)
(3)
(2)
(2)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Discussion Replies Latest Post
Kindle forum
FREE Books and Chat - Wednesday, May 23, 2012 		172 33 seconds ago
Kindle forum
Why is it that people feel the need to share such useless garbage? Hop on board our graffitied subway train with some daft repellant and find out. 		2349 1 minute ago
Kindle Book forum
Who wamts to be friends? 		436 7 minutes ago
Kindle Book forum
The Cast of Kindle Book Forum - The Musical! 		1373 11 minutes ago
Self-help forum
Why is the God of the Bible so angry? Also - Adam and Eve... come on? 		5603 3 hours ago
Self-help forum
What is the best self-help book? 		736 6 hours ago
See A Kindle In Your City forum
does kindle support PDF and Microsoft Word Documents? 		17 1 day ago
See A Kindle In Your City forum
buying books from german amazon for an australian kindle 		4 2 days ago
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   
Related forums

So You'd Like to...

Create a guide

Look for Similar Items by Category