The Four Conversations: Daily Communication That Gets Results [Paperback]

Jeffrey Ford (Author), Laurie Ford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2009

Most conversations to get things done at work are of one of four types-initiative conversations, conversations for understanding, performance conversations, or conversations for closure-but they are often done poorly or misused. This book shows managers and employees how to use the right conversation at the right time, plan and start each conversation well, and finish each conversation effectively.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Praise for The Four Conversations

"Conversation is the simplest, oldest, and most effective way for people to communicate. Yet too many people find conversations intimidating. Here are well-tested conversational practices that offer real support for leaders to discover the extraordinary benefits of communicating well."
--Margaret J. Wheatley, author of Leadership and the New Science and Turning to One Another

"A seminal work that shows leaders how to move from unproductive chatter to conversations that make things happen."
--Dave Logan, Professor at Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California, cofounder and senior partner of CultureSync, and author of Tribal Leadership and The Three Laws of Performance

"The Four Conversations takes the old ideas of workplace communication to an entirely new level of effectiveness and ease."
--Jack Stack, President and CEO, SRC Holdings Corporation, and author of The Great Game of Business

About the Author

Jeffrey Ford currently serves as Associate Professor of Management in the Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Laurie Ford is an independent management consultant and owner of Critical Path Consultants. They live in Columbus, OH

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers (August 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576759202
• ISBN-13: 978-1576759202
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #382,814 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Be Deliberate, Let Conversation Work for You, August 10, 2009

By 

Laura L. Tiberi "nonprofit executive" (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Four Conversations: Daily Communication That Gets Results (Paperback)

At a recent Board Meeting where our non-profit organization struggled over some challenging programmatic and fiscal decisions, one Board member remarked that "Hope is not a strategy."
The Four Conversations gives design, strategy, and tools for designing the future through understanding how productive conversation works, bringing clarity to daily communications, and illustrating with realtistic scenarios workplace pitfalls and the role conversational design and patterns play. The tools for a successful conversational workplace- and strategies to replace the vague strategy of hope- were exactly the impetus I needed.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be required reading for managers!, September 28, 2009

By 

J. Gilbert "JGILB" (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Four Conversations: Daily Communication That Gets Results (Paperback)

As a manager I have read several different books to assist with communication. They are often filled with complex charts and theories and are problematic in both theory and execution. The Four Conversations is not one of those books! This is probably the single most effective communication tool I have used.
At work, I have started to experiment with the different conversations. I have been able to identify where my communication was ineffective, and how I am contributing to entertaining the excuses for poor performance and missed deadlines. I will say that in the short time I have been using the 4 conversations, I have gotten what I wanted earlier. I would say that so far I am saving myself at minimum of 2-4 hours a week. Making the expectations clear and getting good promises has been the biggest help, along with having the closure conversations and acknowledging what has not been done.

Not only useful in my professional life, The Four Conversations have been effective in my personal life as well My wife always "loves" when I read a new communication book. Occasionally, she will say "So what wondrous book are you reading now?" Applying this book to communication with my wife has made for a happier home as well! Instead of thinking that she should know what I want, I have been more direct in communication at home. On a side note, this has been one book I have read that she has not minded. (very effective!)

I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who is interested in increasing the effectiveness of their communication either personally or professionally. I believe this should be required reading for anyone who manages others in an organization.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Four Conversations: Daily Communication That Gets Results, September 11, 2009

By 

Michael S. Bisesi, PhD - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Four Conversations: Daily Communication That Gets Results (Paperback)

The Ford's have co-authored a very valuable book, especially for individuals with management and leadership responsibilities. The book is very well-written and organized; accordingly, it is engaging and easy to read in a single sitting. Very practical tactics and examples are presented regarding recommended and effective ways to interact and comunicate with others. This book will contribute to your professional development and be a valuable addition to your personal library.