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Workplace Communication

At the heart of almost all chronic problems in relationships, teams, and organizations are Crucial Conversations people either don’t hold or don’t hold well. When important conversations don’t happen, problems grow, decisions suffer, and execution slows. Identify how to improve dialogue where the stakes are high.

Resources for Workplace Communication

37 Resources
Relationship Intelligence eBook cover
eBook
Relationship Intelligence: How to Build and Rebuild Relationships at…
Relationship Intelligence: How to Build and Rebuild Relationships at Work
eBook • 49 mins
Relationship Intelligence: How to Build and Rebuild Relationships at Work
Despite investments in engagement and culture initiatives, many organizations overlook the most powerful driver of team performance: the quality of personal relationships. In this ebook, you’ll learn the skills you need to establish healthy, productive relationships that boost engagement and better results.
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woman and man in office talking looking defensive
Blog
Why Do We Put Up with Bullies? From Avoidance to Accountability
Why Do We Put Up with Bullies? From Avoidance to Accountability
Blog • 6 Min
Why Do We Put Up with Bullies? From Avoidance to Accountability
My manager is a bully, and everybody talks about it but not to her! She has regular outbursts at whoever is closest, sends a tirade of emails, on and on it goes. Her employees are on antidepressants, unable to manage the feelings with being treated that way on a regular basis. I am removed from the firing…
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two women gossiping at work
Blog
How to Turn Workplace Gossip into Constructive Conversation
How to Turn Workplace Gossip into Constructive Conversation
Blog • 4 Min
How to Turn Workplace Gossip into Constructive Conversation
How can I respond when staff bring me a “Crucial Conversation” that turns into unproductive venting about work issues—some of which are within my control, and others that are not? Is there a way to redirect those conversations so they’re more constructive?
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young executive pointing finger at employee in meeting
Blog
Caught Off Guard, and Trying to Recover
Caught Off Guard, and Trying to Recover
Blog • 5 Min
Caught Off Guard, and Trying to Recover
Dear Crucial Skills, I was unexpectedly called into a meeting with senior leaders and colleagues who criticized a new process I had introduced. The conversation became heated, and I felt unprepared, cornered, and reactive, especially as they challenged the process without notice or supporting facts. Feeling…
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two men talking in business office
Blog
Clarifying Expectations with a Passive-Aggressive Boss
Clarifying Expectations with a Passive-Aggressive Boss
Blog • 4 Min
Clarifying Expectations with a Passive-Aggressive Boss
I work at a small company with a senior director whose communication style feels passive-aggressive. Instead of clearly assigning tasks, he frames requests as questions (e.g., “Would I be able to…”), then later complains to supervisors when the work doesn’t match what he apparently wanted. Employees…
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worried man sitting at desktop computer
Blog
How to Address Unspoken Tension
How to Address Unspoken Tension
Blog • 6 Min
How to Address Unspoken Tension
How can I have a productive conversation with a colleague when there’s clear tension between us, but I don’t know the cause? I want to keep the discussion calm and focused on facts so we can improve the work environment.
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Accelerating AI Innovation
eBook
Accelerating AI Innovation
Accelerating AI Innovation
eBook • 4 mins
Accelerating AI Innovation
Learn the key behaviors you need to influence in order to successfully adopt your AI initiative and get results.
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Office Manager Showing Documents On Digital Tablet To Colleague
Blog
Using the SDI Personality Assessment to Improve Performance Management
Using the SDI Personality Assessment to Improve Performance Management
Blog • 6 Min
Using the SDI Personality Assessment to Improve Performance Management
I just completed the Strength Deployment Inventory and have been reviewing my results. I’m curious about how these insights could help when holding a performance-related conversation with someone else. Any suggestions?
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Businesswoman arguing with colleagues
Blog
Working with Difficult People: How to Increase Understanding
Working with Difficult People: How to Increase Understanding
Blog • 8 Min
Working with Difficult People: How to Increase Understanding
There is an assistant director in my department who is awful to work with. She makes her team nervous to fail, so they are dishonest with her about the status of projects. I’ve voiced this concern to my director, whom we both report to, but nothing has changed. I want to have an honest conversation with this…
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confident and stern female ceo with group of executives
Blog
What to Do When Your Boss Is a Bully
What to Do When Your Boss Is a Bully
Blog • 7 Min
What to Do When Your Boss Is a Bully
The manager in our department is widely regarded as a bully. Her behavior includes frequent outbursts directed at whoever is nearest, followed by long, accusatory emails. This has become a normalized management style, and it’s taking a serious toll—several team members are now on antidepressants due to…
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concerned male employee touching temple while sitting with laptop at office desk
Blog
My Coworker Drives Me Nuts. Do I Talk to Him or Let It Go?
My Coworker Drives Me Nuts. Do I Talk to Him or Let It Go?
Blog • 4 Min
My Coworker Drives Me Nuts. Do I Talk to Him or Let It Go?
I have a coworker that I just can’t stand. He is good at his job, but I struggle to get along with him because he’s so opinionated and narrow-minded. He has an opinion about everything and can’t fathom any other viewpoint. I’d rather go to the dentist than be in a meeting with him. What am I supposed…
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two women sitting at table having conversation
Blog
How to Deliver Feedback Effectively
How to Deliver Feedback Effectively
Blog • 5 Min
How to Deliver Feedback Effectively
I am working on my skill set of leading others. This is new to me, so I’m trying to learn how to give effective feedback on their work. I worry that I won’t be helpful, or worse, they’ll get defensive and I will lose future opportunities to give feedback. Any suggestions?
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team of professionals sharing ideas in boardroom
Blog
What to Do When Personality Differences Hinder Teamwork
What to Do When Personality Differences Hinder Teamwork
Blog • 7 Min
What to Do When Personality Differences Hinder Teamwork
In my experience, it is easier to work on teams with people who are alike.  When people are really different, it seems like there is much more friction on the team. I am now a manager of a team that has a lot of different types of people, and I don’t know how I can create a cohesive, well-running team…
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boss talking over employee's shoulder
Blog
What to Do When You Think You’re Being Micromanaged
What to Do When You Think You’re Being Micromanaged
Blog • 5 Min
What to Do When You Think You’re Being Micromanaged
When my coworker follows up on my projects, I usually answer fine. But sometimes I get the sense that he’s checking up on me and checking my work, and I lose patience and lash out at him. How can I deal with this situation?
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woman sharing ideas with man in office area
Blog
How to Deliver Feedback Gently
How to Deliver Feedback Gently
Blog • 6 Min
How to Deliver Feedback Gently
A coworker of mine recently told our manager he’s scared of me. When I learned of this, I was shocked. I had no idea. I assume it’s because I’m a marketing manager and it’s my job to review all his work. He’s a perfectionist, and I’ve noticed he gets defensive when I point out mistakes in his…
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Skills to Build High-Performing Teams
eBook
Skills to Build High-Performing Teams
Skills to Build High-Performing Teams
eBook • 4 mins
Skills to Build High-Performing Teams
Using real-world data from organizational case studies, this eBook shows how teams that communicate openly and address conflict directly outperform peers in trust, engagement, and productivity. It outlines six proven practices for building collaborative, results-driven cultures. Each example demonstrates…
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Portrait of Modern multi ethnic business team
Blog
The Quickest Way to Improve Teamwork
The Quickest Way to Improve Teamwork
Blog • 4 Min
The Quickest Way to Improve Teamwork
Little of consequence happens in the world without cooperative activity. The primary ability that enables human beings to thrive is our capacity to work together toward common goals. So, it’s no wonder that the various teams in our lives (work teams, marriages, families, parent/teacher organizations, etc.)…
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two women talking in business setting
Blog
How to Correct a Coworker
How to Correct a Coworker
Blog • 6 Min
How to Correct a Coworker
I have a coworker who has consistently misspelled my name for six months. It’s displayed correctly on my desk and my email signature, and yet this persists. How can I approach him about this without provoking defensiveness?
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a nurse sleeping in chair with another nurse approaching
Blog
3 Tips for Addressing Unacceptable Behavior in the Workplace
3 Tips for Addressing Unacceptable Behavior in the Workplace
Blog • 4 Min
3 Tips for Addressing Unacceptable Behavior in the Workplace
As a nurse manager, how do I tell a master’s-prepared registered nurse that sleeping at their workstation is unprofessional? In many of my previous management jobs, finding an employee sleeping at their workstation was a fire-able offense. In this environment, the employee appears to see no difference…
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a businesswoman leading an office discussion
Blog
Getting Your Colleagues to Hold Crucial Conversations
Getting Your Colleagues to Hold Crucial Conversations
Blog • 4 Min
Getting Your Colleagues to Hold Crucial Conversations
I work with colleagues that seem to avoid Crucial Conversations. I think they are either afraid or doubt whether they’re in the position to speak up. How can I help them develop new perspectives on having difficult conversations and get them to at least try?
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male CEO holding a meeting with his team
Blog
Addressing Your Team When Someone Has Been Let Go
Addressing Your Team When Someone Has Been Let Go
Blog • 4 Min
Addressing Your Team When Someone Has Been Let Go
Dear Crucial Skills, What advice can you give to a group after someone popular has been let go and there is dissent and frustration? I am not permitted to share the reasons for the decision to let this employee go, and it wasn’t my decision to make, but how do I help my team deal …
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Positively Speaking
eBook
Positively Speaking
Positively Speaking
eBook • 1 hour 21 mins
Positively Speaking
Drawing on a survey of 754 professionals, this eBook shows that employees with high self-awareness and a generous view of others are five times more likely to speak up in crucial moments. It demonstrates how combining Crucial Conversations skills with SDI (Strength Deployment Inventory) insights builds…
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male leader teaching his coworkers
Blog
How to Hold Employees Accountable while Empowering Them
How to Hold Employees Accountable while Empowering Them
Blog • 5 Min
How to Hold Employees Accountable while Empowering Them
How do you respectfully hold people accountable? We have clear standards for care, but some staff (and leaders) treat them as though they are optional. They aren’t! How do you hold someone accountable to the standard so they still feel capable, empowered, and motivated?
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Overcoming Workplace Baggage
eBook
Overcoming Workplace Baggage
Overcoming Workplace Baggage
eBook • 4 mins
Overcoming Workplace Baggage
Workplace baggage—the negative experiences, environments, and behaviors employees bring with them from their pasts – is pervasive and harmful. Should it simply be ignored? Should it be welcomed and entertained? This ebook offers strategies for processing and handling past baggage in a way that creates…
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Feedsmacked
eBook
Feedsmacked
Feedsmacked
eBook • 8 mins
Feedsmacked
Feedback is a gift. Without the ability to speak freely, emotions are buried, growth is stagnated, and relationships become increasingly fragile. Each of us can be responsible for our own safety and worth, regardless of the feedback we get. Once we do, we will crave truth over approval, and our self-respect…
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Leading Through Layoffs
eBook
Leading Through Layoffs
Leading Through Layoffs
eBook • 4 mins
Leading Through Layoffs
Drawing from private-sector case studies, this ebook shows that employees’ trust in leadership doubles when layoffs are handled with candor and care. Companies that used dialogue skills retained more top talent and experienced faster post-layoff recovery. It offers actionable tools for leading with…
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6 Truths of Virtual Learning
eBook
6 Truths of Virtual Learning
6 Truths of Virtual Learning
eBook • 8 mins
6 Truths of Virtual Learning
This eBook distills lessons learned from organizations that pivoted successfully to virtual learning environments. It identifies six critical truths—ranging from the importance of social presence to the power of real-time feedback—that ensure engagement and skill retention. Supported by testimonials,…
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The Heart of The Matter
eBook
The Heart of The Matter
The Heart of The Matter
eBook • 7 mins
The Heart of The Matter
The quality of our relationships affects the quality of our lives. Numerous studies have shown that relational health affects physical health, psychological health, even mortality. In organizations, it affects productivity, engagement, safety, and more. Improve your ability to connect with others, improve…
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Costly Conversations
eBook
Costly Conversations
Costly Conversations
eBook • 8 mins
Costly Conversations
Not having Crucial Conversations doesn’t just affect the two people involved. It costs the organization time and money as well – often tens of thousands of dollars. Don’t pay through the nose when you can work through issues by opening your mouth, using the skills found in this ebook.
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Open Office Secrets
eBook
Open Office Secrets
Open Office Secrets
eBook • 4 mins
Open Office Secrets
People have intense and pervasive frustrations with their boss, and yet they don’t feel safe or able to give their manager feedback. Instead of speaking up, they vent to each other. The good news is, there are a handful of skills people can use to confront a misbehaving manager. In this ebook, learn the…
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Mind the Gap
eBook
Mind the Gap
Mind the Gap
eBook • 25 mins
Mind the Gap
Opportunities to hold accountability discussions occur daily—if not multiple times a day. Whatever your strategy has been (or lack thereof ), this ebook describes three skills that will help you address the gap between expectations and poor performance to help correct bad behavior quickly and effectively.
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Leader’s Guide to Effective Dialogue
eBook
Leader’s Guide to Effective Dialogue
Leader’s Guide to Effective Dialogue
eBook • 7 mins
Leader’s Guide to Effective Dialogue
This study of 1,300 employees found that one in three leaders fail under pressure, displaying emotional or avoidant behaviors that damage results. Leaders who stayed calm and communicated openly were 56% more likely to meet quality standards and 47% more likely to improve morale. The eBook demonstrates how…
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Unafraid
eBook
Unafraid
Unafraid
eBook • 10 mins
Unafraid
Do you feel afraid to speak your mind at work, at home, or in your community? We studied positive deviants who were less fearful and more confident in similar circumstances and found the six communication principles they’re using to reduce their fear without losing their voice.
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Distance is Destroying Dialogue
eBook
Distance is Destroying Dialogue
Distance is Destroying Dialogue
eBook • 7 mins
Distance is Destroying Dialogue
The longer it takes you and your colleagues to speak up when they see an issue or concern, the more likely those once casual conversations will transform into crucial ones. Remote managers who can successfully foster a culture where varied opinions and open conversation are welcome will close the gap on the…
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How to Lead a Work-From-Home Workforce
eBook
How to Lead a Work-From-Home Workforce
How to Lead a Work-From-Home Workforce
eBook • 13 mins
How to Lead a Work-From-Home Workforce
Success is about leadership, not location. When leaders build social capital with their workfoce, whether at home or in the office, results follow. In this ebook, you’ll learn multiple strategies to lead your WFH workforce effectively.
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Emotional Inequality
Research
Emotional Inequality
Emotional Inequality
Research • 38 mins
Emotional Inequality
Speaking forcefully creates a social backlash. That backlash is amplified for women. If not managed well, this phenomenon can adversely affect an individual’s career and can prove costly to an organization’s effectiveness. The implications of the findings in this report can empower individuals and…
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How to Make it Safe to Deliver Feedback
Blog
How to Make it Safe to Deliver Feedback
How to Make it Safe to Deliver Feedback
Blog • 5 Min
How to Make it Safe to Deliver Feedback
I have a staff member who is diagnosed with depression and anxiety. She also has a very low sense of self-esteem. Giving her constructive feedback on her performance is painful—for both of us. I have a hard time helping her feel safe when she seems to only focus on the negative stuff. How can I establish a…
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