Every company experienced 2020, but not every company experienced it the same. Some turned COVID challenges into opportunities, while others struggled to survive. And yet, our latest research of 1,200 employees, shows that when it came to succeeding in a pandemic, how well you hold crucial conversations is more important than the resources at your …
How do you deal with people who have not just a different opinion, but a dangerous one? I’m referring to those who believe in conspiracy theories or other misinformation about Covid-19. Their opinions lead to behavior that puts others at risk.
Communication in the workplace directly affects all aspects of a business. It influences how employees work together, the dynamics of teams, how well leadership can communicate, and so much more. Communication can make a hard job easier, but a lack of communication can also make a simple job impossible. Unfortunately, effective communication is often overlooked …
It’s normal to have disagreements with colleagues from time to time — we all come from different backgrounds and have varying points of view. However, when a disagreement turns into a conflict, you need to be able to address and resolve the issue before it affects your relationship and the organization’s effectiveness. To help create …
Dear Emily, I’ve used the techniques from Crucial Conversations in both personal and business situations with success but am now faced with the most critical conversation ever and I don’t know what to do. My husband has become increasingly enmeshed in politics. He is almost blindly devoted to Donald Trump and watches Fox News every …
Dear Joseph, How should I respectfully approach a co-worker about her pungent perfume? I can tell she’s been down the hall even after she’s been gone for five or ten minutes. The scent lingers and is foul to me; after encountering it I begin to feel nauseous. She’s a very popular and pleasant person. Except …
Dear Scott, I am in the process of training a coworker. When I give her an assignment, she gives me a snarky reason why she can’t do it. I have been trying to help her with time-management. When I give reasons for what I am asking, she says I’m mothering her or attacking her. I …
Dear Joseph, What had the biggest impact on you writing Crucial Conversations? Signed, Backstory Dear Backstory, Thanks for asking! Your question gave me a chance to walk down memory lane. The Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard said, “Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.” Looking back, I can see experiences that …
Dear Justin, In our organization we are meeting more than ever but our meeting effectiveness is down dramatically. The issues we see include: No clear direction Too much time spent ranting or venting Less listening and more talking Stuff not getting done How do we get to effective and efficient meetings while also caring for …
Dear Emily, I am a single adult woman who wants to do her work and work well with others. However, because of my single status, my workplace culture, and local culture, my sense of self-worth is getting bruised. For example, a number of male colleagues have explicitly told me that they are “just being nice” …
