Book Review: Crucial Conversations

Crucial Conversations

Stars: 4/5

As explained in the book, crucial conversations are those conversations characterized by three elements: High Stakes, Strong Emotions and Varying Opinions. Those who do not know how to navigate these predicaments are said to be stuck, and furthermore, those who are not adept conversationalists can further entrench themselves if not careful.

Crucial Conversations provides context by: explaining the pool of shared meaning, what happens to your brain, reasoning and judgment when placed in fight or flight situations, and what conditions you should look for (Silence or Violence). You will learn techniques such as Stop & Re-focus, establish Mutual Respect or Mutual Purpose, create contrasting statements, and mirroring, just to name a few. Whether in the middle of a contested discussion with others, game-planning a meeting where uncomfortable situations are bound to occur, or determining how to broach a delicate subject with another, the tools provided in Crucial Conversations will come in handy.

Although I read this book in an attempt to gain a `leg up' on a two-day Crucial Conversations Training Seminar, I found that the book and the seminar were different; each were good stand-alone sources of information but yet complementary. I also believe Crucial Conversations dovetails nicely with The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. Interestingly, Covey wrote the Foreward to this book.

I recommend Crucial Conversations and a highlighter and/or sticky-flags.

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