Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High
by
Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny,
Ron McMillan, and AI Switzler
MCGRAW-HILL
New York ChIcago San FrancIsco LIsbon
London Madrzd MexIco CIty MIlan New DelhI
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Crucial Conversations : tools for talking when stakes are high / Kerry Patterson … [et al.].
p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-07-140194-6 1. International communication. 2. Interpersonal relations.
Patterson, Kerry, 1946-
BF637.C45.C78 153.6-dc21
McGraw-Hill
2002
A Division of The McGraw·Hill Companies �
I.
2002001129
Copyright © 2002 by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a data base or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
29 30 31 32 33 34 35 DOC/DOC 0 9 8 7
ISBN 0-07-140194-6
This book was set in R Life Roman by Patricia Caruso of McGraw-Hill Professional’s DTP composition unit in Hightstown, N.J.
Printed and bound by R.R. Donnelly & Sons Company.
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We dedicate this book to
Louise, Celia, Bonnie, and Linda-
whose support is abundant,
whose love is nourishin�
and whose patience is just shy of infinite.
And to our children
Christine, Rebecca, Taylofi Scott,
Aislinn, Carat Seth, Samue� Hyrum,
Ambefi Megan, Chase, Hayley, Bryn,
Ambefi Laura, Becca, Rachael, Benjamin,
Meridith, Lindsey, Kelley, Todd
who have been a wonderful source of learning.
Contents
FOREWORD XI
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS XV
CH. 1: What’s a Crucial Conversation?
And Who Cares? 1
CH. 2: Mastering Crucial Conversations
The Power of Dialogue 17
CH. 3: Start with Heart
How to Stay Focused on What You Really Want 27
CH. 4: Learn to Look
How to Notice When Safety Is at Risk 45
CH. 5: Make It Safe
How to Make It Safe to Talk about Almost Anything 65
CH. 6: Master My Stories
How to Stay in Dialogue When You ‘re Angry,
Scared, or Hurt 93
X CONTENTS
CH. 7: STATE My Path
