Crucial Conversations

Environment

6 Ways to (Tactfully) Bring Up Personal Hygiene Issues

Kerry Patterson on October 12, 2015

Here's how to set the tone to help an awkward discussion go quickly and smoothly.

Here's how to set the tone to help an awkward discussion go quickly and smoothly.

Gender

One Skill to Curb Unconscious Gender Bias

Joseph Grenny on September 23, 2015

What if your colleagues discriminated against you just for being assertive? Unfortunately for many women, gender bias is a reality in today’s workplace.

What if your colleagues discriminated against you just for being assertive? Unfortunately for many women, gender bias is a reality in today’s workplace.

Conformity

Why Smart People Do Dumb Things

David Maxfield on August 26, 2015

The quiet, polite expression of doubt can turn the rest of the group from zombies into thinkers.

The quiet, polite expression of doubt can turn the rest of the group from zombies into thinkers.

Leadership

The Human Side of Change

Joseph Grenny on July 13, 2015

When leaders continue to pay attention to how they handle both crucial conversations and crucial accountability discussions, they enjoy significant and lasting change.

When leaders continue to pay attention to how they handle both crucial conversations and crucial accountability discussions, they enjoy significant and lasting change.

Career

How to Deal with a Toxic Work Environment

Kerry Patterson on June 19, 2015

I'm an HR manager in a nonprofit mental-health organization -- experiencing many complaints from managers about dealing with poor workplace behaviors. Although not illegal, these behaviors are unhealthy and unproductive. Employees do not seem capable of getting along with each other, and it's harming our ability to work efficiently. What can I do to address it?

I'm an HR manager in a nonprofit mental-health organization -- experiencing many complaints from managers about dealing with poor workplace behaviors. Although not illegal, these behaviors are unhealthy and unproductive. Employees do not seem capable of getting along with each other, and it's harming our ability to work efficiently. What can I do to address it?

The most powerful way to improve the moral character of our world is not policing, but connecting.

Today’s version of workplace anger often comes in the form of repressed rage masked as raging sarcasm, a hostile glance, or maybe the ever-favorite thinly veiled threat.

Anger

Tips for Sharing Bad News

Kerry Patterson on March 6, 2015

Giving bad news to others can be troublesome—particularly when the person you’re giving the bad news to holds you responsible—and you’re not. Here's how to share bad news the right way.

Giving bad news to others can be troublesome—particularly when the person you’re giving the bad news to holds you responsible—and you’re not. Here's how to share bad news the right way.

Relationships

The Greatest Challenge a Couple Faces, and 5 Ways to Beat It

Kerry Patterson on February 11, 2015

According to a study, couples who argue effectively are 10 times more likely to have a happy relationship than those who struggle to discuss disagreements.

According to a study, couples who argue effectively are 10 times more likely to have a happy relationship than those who struggle to discuss disagreements.

Motivation

How to Change People Who Don't Want to Change

Joseph Grenny on February 9, 2015

When you’re trying to influence people who need motivation, but not information, don’t offer more information. That’s nagging. Instead, use questions to create a safe environment where they can explore motivations they already have

When you’re trying to influence people who need motivation, but not information, don’t offer more information. That’s nagging. Instead, use questions to create a safe environment where they can explore motivations they already have

Self-Control

How Much Is Your Failed Resolution Costing You?

David Maxfield on January 15, 2015

Why do so many of us fail at our resolutions? Three challenges and strategies to overcome them.

Why do so many of us fail at our resolutions? Three challenges and strategies to overcome them.

Infidelity

5 Tips for Talking About Holiday Spending with Your Spouse

Kerry Patterson on December 16, 2014

More than 60 percent of people either overspend during the holidays or have a spouse or partner who overspends. How do you talk about it?

More than 60 percent of people either overspend during the holidays or have a spouse or partner who overspends. How do you talk about it?

Career

The Science of Career Success

David Maxfield on November 10, 2014

87 percent of the employees we surveyed said they have bosses who have prevented them from getting the pay, promotions or other opportunities they wanted because of a concern they’ve had about their performance. Utilize the six sources of influence to make positive performance habits inevitable -- allowing you to get unstuck at work.

87 percent of the employees we surveyed said they have bosses who have prevented them from getting the pay, promotions or other opportunities they wanted because of a concern they’ve had about their performance. Utilize the six sources of influence to make positive performance habits inevitable -- allowing you to get unstuck at work.

Career

A Manager’s Guide to Retaining Disengaged Employees

Joseph Grenny on November 6, 2014

When your employees begin demonstrating signs of career suicide, open your door, and allow them to approach you with crucial conversations. If you demonstrate a commitment to being approachable, your employees will find more satisfaction with their current jobs, and you will experience improvements in your working relationships.

When your employees begin demonstrating signs of career suicide, open your door, and allow them to approach you with crucial conversations. If you demonstrate a commitment to being approachable, your employees will find more satisfaction with their current jobs, and you will experience improvements in your working relationships.

Burnout

Speak Up or Burn Out

David Maxfield on August 18, 2014

If teachers would take the initiative to have skillful discussions with unsupportive principals, assistant principals, fellow teachers, and parents, they would improve students’ learning, create a better work environment, and reduce stress.

If teachers would take the initiative to have skillful discussions with unsupportive principals, assistant principals, fellow teachers, and parents, they would improve students’ learning, create a better work environment, and reduce stress.

Parenting

Aligning Different Parenting Styles

Joseph Grenny on October 31, 2013

Children need both affirmation and influence. Unfortunately, many relationships break down because we keep trying to make our spouse be good at what we value without properly recognizing our need for what they bring to the party. So the question is how do you turn conflicting values into complementary ones?

Children need both affirmation and influence. Unfortunately, many relationships break down because we keep trying to make our spouse be good at what we value without properly recognizing our need for what they bring to the party. So the question is how do you turn conflicting values into complementary ones?

Relationships

How to Speak Up Without Causing a Blow-up

Joseph Grenny on September 30, 2013

When we employ effective skills for holding crucial conversations we can elevate our capacity to influence decisions, improve relationships, and speak our minds in a way that gets heard.

When we employ effective skills for holding crucial conversations we can elevate our capacity to influence decisions, improve relationships, and speak our minds in a way that gets heard.

Self-Harm

Handling Public Displays of Rudeness

Al Switzler on August 30, 2013

What do you do when someone is rude or publicly cuts down another person in the middle of a meeting? Is there a way to handle group conflict in the moment and create a safe environment without publicly chastising someone?

What do you do when someone is rude or publicly cuts down another person in the middle of a meeting? Is there a way to handle group conflict in the moment and create a safe environment without publicly chastising someone?

Slacking co-workers cause a quarter of their hard-working colleagues to put in four to six more hours of work each week, yet only 10 percent speak up and hold underperforming colleagues accountable. How can you speak up honestly, directly and professionally to resolve the issue once and for all?

Team failures, wherein team members are unwilling and unable to support each other, stem from a variety of problems, but they all have one solution: accountability.