Title: Crucial Confrontations: Tools for Resolving Broken Promises, Violated Expectations, and Bad Behavior
Author: Kerry Patterson
First published August 26, 2004
280 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780071446525 (ISBN10: 0071446524)
Rating: 4.07
Overview
In the land of Grimmlandia, a girl named Cinderella is about to embark on an exciting journey at Grimm Academy. But her stepsisters are making it difficult for her.
They are determined to make her life miserable, giving her bad advice and ruining her reputation in front of her new friends. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Cinda overhears the Stepsisters planning a wicked scheme that could ruin Prince Awesome’s ball.
With the help of her new friends, Red, Snow, and Rapunzel, and a magical pair of glass slippers, Cinderella must race against time to stop the Stepsisters before it’s too late. Join Cinderella and her friends in this exciting and enchanting adventure filled with magic, friendship, and girl power.
About the Author
Meet Kerry, an accomplished writer who has coauthored various articles and award-winning training programs. Kerry’s expertise extends beyond writing as he has also taught at Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Management and co-founded Interact Performance Systems.
At Interact, he served as the vice president of research and development for a decade. Kerry’s contributions as a coauthor are impressive, having written bestsellers such as Change Anything, Crucial Conversations, Crucial Confrontations, and Influencer, all of which have been featured in The New York Times.
Kerry’s academic background is equally impressive, having completed doctoral work at Stanford University. His achievements have been recognized through awards such as the Mentor of the Year Award and the 2004 William G.
Dyer Distinguished Alumni Award from Brigham Young University.
Editoral Review
Crucial Confrontations by Kerry Patterson is a must-read for anyone who has ever found themselves in a difficult conversation or conflict. First published in 2004, Pattersons book provides readers with the tools and strategies necessary to resolve broken promises, violated expectations, and bad behavior.
Patterson, who is also the co-author of the best-selling book Crucial Conversations, draws on years of research and experience to provide practical advice for navigating difficult conversations. The book is organized into three parts: Understanding Crucial Confrontations, Mastering the Skills for Crucial Confrontations, and Applying Skills to Crucial Confrontations.
Each part is broken down into easy-to-read chapters, complete with real-life examples and exercises. In the opening section, Patterson sets the stage by explaining what a crucial confrontation is and why its important to handle them effectively.
He then goes on to outline the seven steps necessary to prepare for a crucial confrontation. These steps include identifying the problem, understanding the other persons perspective, and coming up with a plan for how to approach the conversation.
In the middle section of the book, Patterson dives deeper into the specific skills necessary for handling difficult conversations. He discusses how to stay focused during a confrontation, how to communicate effectively, and how to use stories and examples to make your point.
Patterson also provides readers with valuable tips for handling difficult emotions, such as anger or defensiveness, that may arise during a confrontation. Finally, in the third section of the book, Patterson provides readers with practical advice for applying the skills they have learned to real-life situations.
He provides examples of crucial confrontations in various contexts, such as the workplace or in personal relationships, and walks readers through how to apply the techniques he has outlined. One of the strengths of Crucial Confrontations is Pattersons use of real-life examples to illustrate his points.
These examples range from workplace conflicts to personal relationships, and they help to make the concepts more relatable and easier to understand. Additionally, Pattersons writing style is clear and concise, making the book accessible to readers of all skill levels.
One potential weakness of the book is that it can feel a bit formulaic at times. Pattersons seven-step process for preparing for a confrontation can feel a bit rigid, and readers may find it difficult to apply to all situations.
However, Patterson acknowledges that every situation is unique and encourages readers to adapt his techniques to fit their specific needs. Overall, Crucial Confrontations is an incredibly valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their communication skills and resolve difficult conflicts.
The books practical advice, real-life examples, and accessible writing style make it a must-read for anyone interested in personal or professional growth. Rating: 4.5/5
Recommended for: Managers, HR professionals, therapists, communication students, and anyone who wants to improve their communication skills.