A Safe Place for Dangerous Truths: Using Dialogue to Overcome Fear & Distrust at Work

by Annette Simmons

No more "checking for feet." This illuminating guide gets people to tell the truth at the meeting--not in the bathroom afterwards.Almost everybody does it--lie, that is. In one recent survey 93% of people admitted to lying regularly at work! Why? Because it's safer than telling the truth.Sadly, organizations cannot succeed in this poisonous world of half-truths, strategic omissions, and doctored information. To function optimally, businesses must create an environment where people feel free to tell the truth, no matter how disturbing. Only then can organizations unleash the responsiveness, creativity, and enthusiasm necessary to achieve their goals.This unique book shows how, using the formal process of "dialogue," such a place can be built. In a lively discussion, the author shows managers how to use this technique to encourage truth-telling by reducing fear, prompting self-examination, and opening minds * build trust where suspicion and cynicism held sway * inspire individuals to think and learn as a group * help groups talk through tough issues and move to collaborative action.

Genres: Leadership

250 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1999

About the author

Annette Simmons is a vibrant keynote speaker, consultant and author of four books: The Story Factor named as one of The 100 Best Business Books of All Time, Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins , A Safe Place for Dangerous Truth (AMACOM, 1998), and Territorial Games: Understanding and Ending Turf Wars at Work.

Annette started with a business degree from Louisiana State University in 1983, spent ten years in Australia in international business, attained a M.Ed. from NC State in 1994 and started Group Process Consulting in 1996. Annette is surprisingly honest, ferrets out hidden opportunities, joyfully takes risks and tells a good story.

Reviews

[Lester · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although it took me 4 years to finish, it was because the methods and advice in the book were needed 4 years ago, but after I moved jobs, they were not as acutely needed.

The book is well structured and useful, but I did find that there was a lot of text that got in the way of the main messages. Nevertheless, there are some very useful structures and advice which I have marked and will dive into when needed, such as the escape strategies of those who are reluctant to participate (and what to do about it) and possible rules that need to be set for dialogue.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the idea, but couldn't get there. Supposedly a guide for facilitators it wasn't specific enough for me.

[Nicole Reinhold]

One of the reasons why I want to study systemic consulting . . .