Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 4 hours and 28 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
Audible.com Release Date: March 7, 2006
Language: English
ASIN: B000EUMM4I
Best Sellers Rank: #19 in Books > Business & Money > Human Resources > Conflict Resolution & Mediation #301 in Books > Business & Money > Skills > Communications #828 in Books > Audible Audiobooks > Health, Mind & Body > Self-Help
I surprised myself by reading almost the entire book during a two-week trip to Thailand w. The authors do a great job of showing how NOT stepping up has allowed catastrophic consquences to result. For example, the co-pilot who chose not to speak up when the pilot was preparing to take off in freezing weather with ice building up on the wings. All that survived was the cockpit tape that has the copilot hinting at the danger and not taking a powerful stand with the pilot. Our circumstances are not likely to be that drastic, but it is really very serious business.I like that the book recognizes that speaking up can be risky and talks about how to make reasonably sure that you won't hurt your career or relationship when you choose to speak up.The keys to managing the conversation so you don't get off in the weeds and get a valuable result begin with stepping back for a moment and remembering how you got to your reaction. The authors say we start by seeing or hearing something, draw come conclusions, react and then take action. If you review what exactly are the facts you started with and what are the interpretations or conclusions you came to, you are free to share it as a story the other person can understand. If you speak as if your conclusions are facts, you can lose the rapport you need to have a good outcome.I like the question the authors suggest asking yourself to get to how to start a conversation that doesn't amount to an attack: "What would cause a reasonable, rational and decent person to act like this?" Answering that question puts me in a frame of mind to begin with an attitude of mutual respect.
As I read this exceptionally informative book, I was again reminded of the fact that the Chinese word for "crisis" has two meanings: peril and opportunity. Since posting the review, a reader's comment (please see below) identifies an essay that brings into doubt the common belief in the dual meaning to which I referred. However, I remain convinced, linguistic issues aside, that every crisis does pose both peril or opportunity and that how we respond is for us to determine.* * *As those who have been or are now involved in process simplification initiatives already know, every problem encountered offers a valuable learning opportunity. The same is also true when encountering "broken promises, violated expectations, and bad behavior" either within or beyond the workplace. The authors of this volume address questions such as these:What's a "crucial confrontation"?What to do before one occurs?How to know when -- and when NOT -- to initiate one?How to "get your head right before opening your mouth"?How to begin a crucial confrontation?How to involve and engage others to take appropriate action?How to make keeping commitments (almost) painless?What to do when others "get sidetracked, scream, or sulk"?What to do after a crucial confrontation?How to gain commitment and move to action?How to solve "big, sticky, complicated problems"?How to deal with the truly tough? (i.e. the twelve "yeh buts")The authors also provide four appendices: A self-assessment for measuring confrontation skills, "The Six-Source Model," "When Things Go Right," and discussion questions for reading groups.
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