Dear Crucial Skills, I often run into a brick wall when trying to have a crucial conversation with workaholics. It seems as if they will work with you only if it increases their power or they can exercise control over you. What can I do to get some cooperation? Signed, Frustrated coworker Dear Frustrated, Thank …

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kerry Patterson is coauthor of four New York Times bestsellers, Change Anything, Crucial Conversations, Crucial Confrontations, and Influencer. READ MORE Dear Crucial Skills, After initiating a crucial conversation effort, how do you evaluate outcome of the effort? What objective outcome assessment do you utilize? Signed, Curious Dear Curious, Over the years, we’ve …

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ron McMillan is coauthor of four New York Times bestsellers, Change Anything, Crucial Conversations, Crucial Confrontations, and Influencer. READ MORE Dear Crucial Skills, I was excited to work with my new boss initially because I thought he would have good interpersonal skills and would be good at managing people. However, it has …

Dear Crucial Skills, In Crucial Conversations and Influencer you note studies that correlate changes in behavior to increases in productivity and/or profitability. I will be going through Crucial Conversations trainer certification in January and would like to know how we can measure the impact of the classes after they are performed. What are some of …

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Joseph Grenny is coauthor of four New York Times bestsellers, Change Anything, Crucial Conversations, Crucial Confrontations, and Influencer. READ MORE Dear Crucial Skills, I’m currently taking Crucial Conversations Training at work. It has helped me both at home and at work by giving me the confidence to take quite a few bulls …

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Al Switzler is coauthor of four New York Times bestsellers, Change Anything, Crucial Conversations, Crucial Confrontations, and Influencer. READ MORE Dear Crucial Skills, I’d like to know more about how to improve mutual respect. Currently, my immediate boss does not respect the group he supervises. He manages in a paternalistic manner. The …

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Joseph Grenny is coauthor of four New York Times bestsellers, Change Anything, Crucial Conversations, Crucial Confrontations, and Influencer. READ MORE Dear Crucial Skills, What do you do if you try everything and still can’t make it safe? I’m struggling with two different issues: It seems that no matter what I do, I …

Dear Crucial Skills, Please help us! Our 28-year-old son has been defensive and distant for a long time. He is employed below his ability level and we have often been confused about his inability to get a better job given his degree. Finally my husband hit me with this scary thought: maybe he didn’t get …

Dear Crucial Skills, I recently had an encounter with an aggressive and abusive flight attendant that required me to use all my Crucial Conversations skills. I feel satisfied that I successfully carried out most of the teachings I have learned through your articles—meaning I did not get escorted off the plane. During the encounter, I …

Dear Crucial Skills, I want to make use of crucial conversations skills, but I see that they are almost entirely geared toward management roles. How do these skills apply to situations with our “superiors” rather than with others who report to us? Signed, Looking Up Dear Looking Up, We have some terrific news for you! …