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Difficult Conversations

How to Discuss What Matters Most
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( 18,339 ratings, 1,171 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Difficult Conversations by Bruce Patton, Douglas Stone, and Sheila Heen explores how to address challenging discussions effectively. The book provides insights and techniques to better handle conflicts at work and in personal life, focusing on improving communication and understanding to achieve positive outcomes.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$3000
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might like this book if you are looking to improve your communication skills, manage conflict more effectively, and build stronger personal and professional relationships. This book offers practical advice and techniques for navigating challenging conversations with confidence and empathy.

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Difficult Conversations

We know we must talk to a colleague, our boss or even a friend about something we know can be at least uncomfortable and at worst explosive. So we repeatedly mull it over until we can no longer put it off, and then finally stumble through a confrontation when we could have had a conversation. This work focuses on handling these exchanges.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Difficult Conversations, written by Bruce Patton, Douglas Stone, and Sheila Heen, is an indispensable guide that provides readers with the skills needed to navigate life's most challenging conversations effectively. The 10th anniversary edition of this classic guide, enriched with insights from 15 years of research at the Harvard Negotiation Project, equips us with the tools necessary to transform potentially explosive confrontations into productive dialogue.

The book meticulously breaks down the complexities involved in difficult conversations, revealing the hidden structure underlying every exchange. The authors introduce a unique framework that categorises these conversations into three distinct, yet intertwined, dialogues: the 'what happened' conversation, the 'feelings' conversation, and the 'identity' conversation.

The 'what happened' conversation involves understanding the differing perceptions of the facts and events. Readers learn to navigate this aspect by recognising that each party believes they are right, thus shifting the focus from blame to understanding each other's viewpoints.

The 'feelings' conversation addresses the underlying emotional currents and their impact on the individuals involved. The authors emphasise the importance of acknowledging and expressing emotions constructively rather than letting them fester or explode uncontrollably.

The 'identity' conversation delves into what the conflict means for our sense of self and how it affects our perceptions of our integrity, competence, and worthiness. By exploring these three dimensions, Difficult Conversations offers a comprehensive approach to managing personal and professional exchanges with grace and efficacy.

Whether it's asking for a pay rise, refusing additional work, requesting a favour, or issuing an apology, this book provides practical advice and real-world examples to help readers approach these scenarios with confidence and poise. Its time-tested strategies and techniques empower individuals to handle any conversation, no matter how difficult, with insight and empathy.

Difficult Conversations has earned its place as a business classic, not only for its depth of research and practical guidance but also for its profound impact on improving communication and relationships. For anyone looking to enhance their conversational skills and build stronger, more honest connections, this book is an essential resource.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Difficult Conversations by Bruce Patton, Douglas Stone, and Sheila Heen is praised for providing practical advice on handling challenging discussions with empathy and clarity. Reviewers highlight the book's effective frameworks and real-life examples, making it a valuable resource for personal and professional use. It is often noted for its accessible writing and useful insights into communication skills.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780670921348

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 November 2011

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Contributors:

  • Foreword by Roger Fisher

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 21.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 245g

Pages: 352

About the Author

Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton and Sheila Heen work for the Harvard Negotiation Project at Harvard Law School.

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