Difficult Conversations

How to Discuss What Matters Most

By Bruce Patton, Douglas Stone, Sheila Heen | Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group

About the book

From the Harvard Negotiation Project—which brought you the megabestseller GETTING TO YES—this practical guide will help you handle your most difficult conversations with confidence and skill

Whether dealing with an underperforming employee or a challenging colleague, disagreeing with your spouse about money or child-rearing, negotiating with a client, or simply saying \"No,\" \"I'm sorry,\" or \"I love you,\" we attempt or avoid difficult conversations every day. No matter how competent we are, we all have conversations that cause anxiety and frustration.
 
This book can help. Based on almost thirty years of research, Difficult Conversations walks you through a step-by-step approach for how to have your toughest conversations with less stress and more success. You'll learn how to:

• Decipher the underlying structure and challenge of every difficult conversation
• Raise tough issues without triggering defensiveness
• Manage strong emotions—yours and theirs
• Keep your balance no matter how the other person responds
• Get to the heart of the matter in ways that promote learning and build relationships

Filled with examples from everyday life, this third edition is thoroughly updated and addresses issues such as race, culture, gender, power, social media, and communicating via technology as we talk to one another across the world—and across worldviews. With constructive communication an ever more critical need in personal, professional, and public life, Difficult Conversations is a classic you will turn to again and again for powerful, practical advice.

Editions of Difficult Conversations

Paperback
ISBN 9780143137597
EBook
ISBN 9780593511695
AudioStreaming
ISBN 9780593822074
AudioStreaming
ISBN 9780593822081

Read an Excerpt

From the Harvard Negotiation Project—which brought you the megabestseller GETTING TO YES—this practical guide will help you handle your most difficult conversations with confidence and skill

Whether dealing with an underperforming employee or a challenging colleague, disagreeing with your spouse about money or child-rearing, negotiating with a client, or simply saying \"No,\" \"I'm sorry,\" or \"I love you,\" we attempt or avoid difficult conversations every day. No matter how competent we are, we all have conversations that cause anxiety and frustration.
 
This book can help. Based on almost thirty years of research, Difficult Conversations walks you through a step-by-step approach for how to have your toughest conversations with less stress and more success. You'll learn how to:

• Decipher the underlying structure and challenge of every difficult conversation
• Raise tough issues without triggering defensiveness
• Manage strong emotions—yours and theirs
• Keep your balance no matter how the other person responds
• Get to the heart of the matter in ways that promote learning and build relationships

Filled with examples from everyday life, this third edition is thoroughly updated and addresses issues such as race, culture, gender, power, social media, and communicating via technology as we talk to one another across the world—and across worldviews. With constructive communication an ever more critical need in personal, professional, and public life, Difficult Conversations is a classic you will turn to again and again for powerful, practical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Difficult Conversations about?

From the Harvard Negotiation Project—which brought you the megabestseller GETTING TO YES—this practical guide will help you handle your most difficult conversations with confidence and skill

Whether dealing with an underperforming employee or a challenging colleague, disagreeing with your spouse about money or child-rearing, negotiating with a client, or simply saying \"No,\" \"I'm sorry,\" or \"I love you,\" we attempt or avoid difficult conversations every day. No matter how competent we are, we all have conversations that cause anxiety and frustration.
 
This book can help. Based on almost thirty years of research, Difficult Conversations walks you through a step-by-step approach for how to have your toughest conversations with less stress and more success. You'll learn how to:

• Decipher the underlying structure and challenge of every difficult conversation
• Raise tough issues without triggering defensiveness
• Manage strong emotions—yours and theirs
• Keep your balance no matter how the other person responds
• Get to the heart of the matter in ways that promote learning and build relationships

Filled with examples from everyday life, this third edition is thoroughly updated and addresses issues such as race, culture, gender, power, social media, and communicating via technology as we talk to one another across the world—and across worldviews. With constructive communication an ever more critical need in personal, professional, and public life, Difficult Conversations is a classic you will turn to again and again for powerful, practical advice.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Difficult Conversations?

Society and Social Sciences > Psychology > Social, group or collective psychology > Interpersonal communication and skills

Where can I read a sample of Difficult Conversations?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780143137597

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Difficult Conversations?

Bruce Patton, Douglas Stone, Sheila Heen

Who is the Publisher of the book Difficult Conversations?

Penguin Publishing Group

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Difficult Conversations is available as paperback(ISBN 9780143137597) and ebook(ISBN 9780593511695) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780593822074) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780593822081)

Where can I buy Difficult Conversations online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Difficult Conversations from below

Where can I buy Difficult Conversations?