The book Crucial Conversations lays out important building blocks needed to do conflict well at work, home or anywhere!
Talking Points:
- A crucial conversation is a skillful discussion between two or more people where stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong.
- Skilled communicators invite all perspectives into the pool of meaning. They work to get relevant information out in the open to make sure every voice is heard.
- Healthy conflict takes courage and empathy. Unhealthy conflict is usually marked by silence or violence.
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Share about the last crucial conversation you had. What made it an emotionally heightened conversation? How would you grade yourself and the conversation itself?
- Why does it take courage to step into a potential conflict? How have you seen a lack of courage to deal with conflict make things worse?
- What’s the best way to get all of the relevant information into the pool of meaning before taking action? How have you felt when your perspective wasn’t heard or considered?
- Evaluate your work culture. Is it marked more be silence or violence? Defend your answer. What do you need to do to promote healthy conflict moving forward?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
Adapted from Crucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan and Swiztler
