Difficult Conversations (HBR 20-Minute Manager Series)
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About this ebook
You have to talk with a colleague about a fraught situation, but you're worried that they'll yell, or blame you, or shut down. You fear your emotions could block you from a resolution. But you can communicate in a way that's constructive--not combative. Difficult Conversations walks you through:
- Uncovering the root cause of friction
- Maintaining a positive mind-set
- Untangling the problem together
- Agreeing on a way forward
Don't have much time? Get up to speed fast on the most essential business skills with HBR's 20-Minute Manager series. Whether you need a crash course or a brief refresher, each book in the series is a concise, practical primer that will help you brush up on a key management topic. Advice you can quickly read and apply, for ambitious professionals and aspiring executives--from the most trusted source in business. Also available as an ebook.
Harvard Business Review
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Reviews for Difficult Conversations (HBR 20-Minute Manager Series)
29 ratings3 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title very informative and helpful in navigating difficult conversations. It provides comprehensive yet flexible steps to prepare and deal with parties you may not agree with. The book offers practical insights to manage conflict in all areas of life. It is short and worth reading.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great practical insights to manage conflict at each and every sphere of life.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5short and good book. It is worth to read it
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The book is very informative in tackling how are we going to navigate difficult conversations. It presents the steps which are comprehensive yet not rigid in structure. It helps the reader how to prepare and deal with parties you may not necessarily agree with.
Book preview
Difficult Conversations (HBR 20-Minute Manager Series) - Harvard Business Review
Difficult Conversations
Get up to speed fast on essential business skills. Whether you’re looking for a crash course or a brief refresher, you’ll find just what you need in HBR’s 20-Minute Manager series—foundational reading for ambitious professionals and aspiring executives. Each book is a concise, practical primer, so you’ll have time to brush up on a variety of key management topics.
Advice you can quickly read and apply, from the most trusted source in business.
Titles include:
Creating Business Plans
Delegating Work
Difficult Conversations
Finance Basics
Getting Work Done
Giving Effective Feedback
Innovative Teams
Managing Projects
Managing Time
Managing Up
Performance Reviews
Presentations
Running Meetings
Difficult Conversations
Craft a clear message
Manage emotions
Focus on a solution
HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW PRESS
Boston, Massachusetts
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Cataloging-in-Publication data is forthcoming
ISBN: 978-1-63369-078-3
eISBN: 978-1-63369-079-0
Preview
You’ve been putting off a difficult conversation. Maybe you feel wronged by someone or misunderstood. You may be caught in a clash of personalities or have competing goals with a colleague. Perhaps you have to deliver bad news, and you dread the person’s reaction. Whatever your situation, you need to address an issue to keep moving forward. This book will help you develop the skills you need to turn a difficult conversation into a productive dialogue, including:
• Understanding what makes some conversations difficult
• Discovering what’s at the heart of the challenge you’re facing
• Identifying and managing the emotions involved
• Seeing the bigger picture to expand possible solutions
• Framing the issue in a way your counterpart can relate to
• Listening actively and responding with empathy
• Staying flexible and managing the unexpected
• Finding areas of agreement
• Building on your new skills so you’ll be ready for the next tough conversation
Contents
What Makes a Conversation Difficult?
Conflicting interests
Different personal styles
Lack of trust
Different views of the facts
Strong emotions
Think It Through
Should you act?
When you decide to have a difficult conversation
Prepare for the Difficult Conversation
Assess the facts—and your assumptions
Address the emotions
Acknowledge that you’re part of the problem
Identify a range of positive outcomes
Develop a strategy, not a script
Conduct the Conversation
Acknowledge the other person
Frame the problem
Ask questions and listen
Look for common ground
Adapt and rebalance
Establish commitments
Follow Through
How did you do?
Jot down your impressions
Follow up in writing
Keep your commitments
Become a Better Communicator
Reflect before you speak
Connect with others
Before you talk, listen
Make your words count
Establish a feedback loop
Address problems head-on
Learn More
Sources
Index
Difficult Conversations
What Makes a Conversation Difficult?
What Makes a Conversation Difficult?
You know the feeling: that knot in the pit of your stomach; the fog that descends on your mind. You’re avoiding a difficult conversation. Maybe you fear the public confrontation if you ask