How do you discuss the future of your child with a teacher who recommends he retake a
year of school? What if your child has described this same teacher as constantly singling
him out and tormenting him over the course of a year? This volume provides an approach
to those conversations in life that are both most difficult and most necessary. By outlining
specific strategies that can create mutual respect, mutual understanding, and increase
emotional safety, rather than focusing on ways to "get the upper hand" in an argument,
the manual seeks to open channels of communication which would otherwise remain
barred. The authors offer defence-lowering techniques that encourage freedom of
expression and enable effective understanding. Some examples of "crucial conversations"
discussed include: a boss's misuse of authority; whom, if anyone, to lay off when a
company faces financial peril; the overhang of a neighbour's tree which is damaging your
property; an unsatisfactory or unhealthy relationship with a loved one; firing an employee;
how to talk to children about boundaries and the consequences of breaking them; and
anything that could result in legal action.