Crucial Conversations

As I reflect on leadership this week, I continue to come back to all of the important conversations that require collaboration, especially when things get tough and resilience is tested. We need our stakeholders more than ever, even when the conversations are challenging. This is why I have chosen to focus on Crucial Conversations, by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, and Switzler. This whole book is valuable, but there are a few chapters that particularly resonate with stakeholder work: "Start with the Heart" (focusing on what really matters and what you really want), "Master My Stories" (using storytelling specifically when topics are very sensitive or emotional), "State My Path" (being intentional, speaking persuasively), and "Explore Others' Paths" (understanding where your partners are coming from). Human relationships are complex, but they are at the heart of what we do. 

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