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68th out of 73 books
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3 voters
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Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work and in Life One Conversation at a Time
The Wall Street Journal bestseller, now with new material.
The master teacher of positive change through powerful communication, Susan Scott wants her readers to succeed. To do that, she explains, one must transform everyday conversations employing effective ways to get the message across. In this guide, which includes exercises and tools to take you step by step through ...more
The master teacher of positive change through powerful communication, Susan Scott wants her readers to succeed. To do that, she explains, one must transform everyday conversations employing effective ways to get the message across. In this guide, which includes exercises and tools to take you step by step through ...more
Paperback, 320 pages
Published
January 6th 2004
by Berkley Trade
(first published 2002)
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How honest are you? Are you honest all the time? Are you honest in every conversation? Do you think withholding information or your attention or time or commitment is dishonesty? Scott would tell you, yes, that is dishonest, and the only way to build a lasting, fulfilling, successful business relationship (or any relationship) is to go all-in (not her phrase) and fully commit to it. She says that relationships are built of conversations, each and every conversation, and every time you hold back ...more
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1. Replace but with and[return][return]1. Name the issue:[return]2. Select a specific example that illustrates the behavior or situation.[return]3. Describe your emotions about this issue[return]4. Clarify what is at stake[return]5. Identify your contribution to this problem:[return]6. Indicate your wish to resolve the issue[return]7. Invite your partner to repspond[return][return]1. This is where we're going.[return]2. This is why we're going there.[return]3. This is who is going with us.[retur...more
The ideas and action items provided in this book were thought-provoking and helpful; however, I felt most of the examples were tailored to readers in management roles at companies. I just couldn't relate to those ideas (hence the 4 instead of 5 star rating).
The stories and information I could relate to were fantastic, if shocking. It was hard to sit and honestly think about how I have conversations with people. I realized a lot of the time I am practicing bad conversation tactics and...more
The stories and information I could relate to were fantastic, if shocking. It was hard to sit and honestly think about how I have conversations with people. I realized a lot of the time I am practicing bad conversation tactics and...more
A so-so business/personal relationship book that encourages you to be completely honest and ask probing questions to get to the real issue in your conversations with others. A little touchy feely, easier said than done (on the honesty part, anyway), but it did give me some good ideas for asking the right questions.
The author inserts too much of her life into the advice--it may be easy and affordable for her to take a retreat and really think about things, or wake up at 4 to sip te...more
The author inserts too much of her life into the advice--it may be easy and affordable for her to take a retreat and really think about things, or wake up at 4 to sip te...more
Most business books suck. (see spoiler for details(view spoiler)...more
I have been thinking about this book a lot lately. I read it a few years ago, and I loved the book at the time, but I didn't realize how much of an impact it has made on my life until recently. I fiercely believe now that difficult conversations full of tactful, but blatant honesty are vitally important in my life. It has made a few relationships teeter, perhaps because the pretend was more comfortable than the truth; but, for the most part it has made the relationships in my life deeper and ...more
Part motivational, part informational, this book tell us that beating around the bush is destructive to conversations, and hence a relationship (which is formed on conversation).
People are afraid to be direct and relevant. They may act to avoid confrontation, to protect themselves from backlash, or hope it'll go away. These all cater to one of the strongest emotions we have: fear.
However, hotblooded manliness can destroy fears, justifiably or not. By having the cajones to...more
People are afraid to be direct and relevant. They may act to avoid confrontation, to protect themselves from backlash, or hope it'll go away. These all cater to one of the strongest emotions we have: fear.
However, hotblooded manliness can destroy fears, justifiably or not. By having the cajones to...more
This book is probably better than I think it is. To me, there is no great revelation in the importance of having fiercely authentic conversations. Moreover, I feel that the language was targeted at a different audience. As a result, while all of the ideas were generally agreeable, there was very little that really resonated with me personally.
My opinion may have also been heavily influenced by the voice of the author who did the reading. The so earnest and maternal intonation jus...more
My opinion may have also been heavily influenced by the voice of the author who did the reading. The so earnest and maternal intonation jus...more
I finished this book one month after "Difficult Conversations". They were very similar. I remember thinking they were both fine. I was hoping that by reading two the principles and advice would be hammered home a bit more. Can't say that it was! I don't remember a single thing! I would suggest maybe reading them with the intention of using the material immediately.
The advice and approach given in this book on how to have authentic conversations is both valuable at work and at home (in fact often there's overlap between the two). The author provides good examples for both spheres of your life. She's especially good at describing the internal monologue that we all use to avoid what needs to be said. Areas she explores that resonated: having the same conversation over and over again, getting past the "how are you" so that you can connect with you...more
I discovered this book while browsing through the shelves at the Chapters bookstore at 401 and Kennedy in Toronto. As I flipped through the book I came across this snippet that mentioned a newly married couple. The first weekend the wife wanted to talk about their relationship, the husband relented. The next weekend once again the wife wanted to sit and talk about their relationship, the following weekend it was the same thing. Now the man began to wonder 'Hey this is not what I want.' 'What's g...more
If you're interested in improving your life by changing the way you communicate with others, this is a wonderful book. It presents a balance between work and life examples and is not just for the workplace. Susan Scott writes clearly and accessibly about how motivated people can change their lives for the better.
Written by a coach, this book is full of insights that allow people to interact at a level other than news, sports and weather. The author demonstrates understanding on the art of asking important questions so that real relationships can grow deeper than surface level.
Isn't it kind of sad that we need a book to remember how to stop getting in our own way and be real with each other? This book will help you strengthen relationships, understand and resolve conflict, and help you question yourself in useful and provocative ways.
Read DEC 2007.
This is a good resource for anyone seeking authentic conversations. If you liked this, you may also like Difficult Conversations by Douglas Stone; Seeing Behind the Masks by Jim Toombs, and The Trauma of Transparency by J. Grant Howard.
This is a good resource for anyone seeking authentic conversations. If you liked this, you may also like Difficult Conversations by Douglas Stone; Seeing Behind the Masks by Jim Toombs, and The Trauma of Transparency by J. Grant Howard.
I didn't finish this book, but loaned it out to a friend and expect to get it back. But it's a book I'll never finish. Tangibly challenged me to ask better questions, shut up and listen, get past the pretenses and help draw others out. I will need to buy this book as a reference to refer to again and again.
Just a few examples:
What conversation is out there with your name on it?
What topic are you hoping I won't bring up?
What has become clear since we las...more
Just a few examples:
What conversation is out there with your name on it?
What topic are you hoping I won't bring up?
What has become clear since we las...more
A little too "self help" in tone, but some good techniques. Step-by-step guides that would be helpful when preparing for some potentially tough conversations. Good applications for both work and home.
Peter Bessman
added it
I think this book is a stylistic abomination. The
substance, however, is rather good. Implement with caution. Not all cultures can handle perpetual earnesty, no matter how smoothly delivered.
substance, however, is rather good. Implement with caution. Not all cultures can handle perpetual earnesty, no matter how smoothly delivered.
Practical and insightful reflections and tips on communicating -- a skill which is grossly presumed inherent in people. "Everyone thinks that because they can talk, that they can communicate.
One of the best books for preparing for and handling difficult conversations. The book is focused on developing the readers personal vision, a process that can at times be confusing and daunting.
The ideas/concepts behind Fierce are so simplistic yet very difficult to apply so it was helpful to read about the stories and anecdotes behind Susan Scott's brainchild process.
One of the few books out there that deals with the difficult tasks of dealing with people. If all is not wine and roses at work or at home, this is the book to read!
Everyone should read the section - Getting Real with Yourself. This books certainly forces one to analyze the way they approach conversations with oneself and with others.
Kathy Sadler
is currently reading it
Recommends it for:
anyone who wants to reevaluate their level of comfort with having deep conversations.
I'm learning about how to have conversations and really mean what I say. I think having conversations will enable me as a professional to be more productive.
I highly recommend this. It's about cutting through to what's really important in your interactions with others, and it's a fabulous skill to have.
I was loaned this book to help me have better conversations. I loved it so much I bought my own copy and plan to re-read it for better understanding in about a month so I can glean more from it. It really helped me realize some very important things about the way I need to be talking to people, and to myself. Great book.
Awesome and insightful book. Very easy to read and apply to work and homelife. Read within a weekend and applied immidiatly to work.
This was a pivotal book for me - there are a number of things I learned here that have helped me professionally and personally.
Susan Scott lays out a plan that makes the impossible seem so easy; how to tackle those challenging conversations with your boss, spouse, or co-workers. The methods she explains do so in a respectful, but not passive way. I have already begun to apply these techniques to my daily life, with much success.
This is a great book. If more people read this, there would be a lot less strife in the world.
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