We've just started reading 'Fierce Conversations' by Susan Scott (or, rather, Andrew has started reading it.
Here's the publisher's synopsis:
Fierce Conversations is a way of conducting business. An attitude. A way of life. Communications expert Susan Scott maintains that a single conversation can change the trajectory of a career, marriage or life. Whether these are conversations with yourself, partner, colleagues, customers, family or friends, Fierce Conversations shows you how to have conversations that count. Scott reveals how to:
*Overcome the barriers to meaningful conversations
*Express who you are and what you believe
*Confront tough issues with courage, confidence and sensitivity
*Overcome fear to get to the heart of the problem
*Inspire followers, attract believers and build visions that become reality
*Bring about real change through talking
*Encourage others to reveal their true opinions
Packed with exercises and questionnaires to help you have the best conversations possible, Fierce Conversations will revolutionise the way you communicate.
You can buy the book from Amazon here: 'Buy 'Fierce Conversations'
(Please use this link to buy the book: we earn a small amount of commission on every sale - thank you.)
Six things random things, from Andrew
(Previously published here as part of this post.)
- Some people become progressively less able to think for themselves the more times they are promoted within an organisation. Sometimes I wonder if they undergo progressive lobotomies - it's certainly one possibility.
- Be very suspicious when people make exaggerated claims about themselves or what they can do for you. Obviously this doesn't apply to Qryztal.
- On the other hand, never ever put yourself down. There are plenty of people in life who will delight in trying to destroy your self confidence - they don't need you to help them.
- Speaking of foes, these can sometimes be found within one's own family (thankfully not mine) or disguised as friends. But they will always show their true colours in time. And when that time comes, having one or two true and trusted friends is going to help ease the blow.
- If at all possible, build your support network when things are going well. Hopefully those people might be there for you if times get hard. But be prepared to be misunderstood and perhaps abandoned by the ones who are only there for you in times of fair weather rather than foul.
- If you are kind and good-hearted... there are those who will take advantage of you. But you will reap what you have sown - the good stuff will be paid back to you. (I can't say what happens to those who cause harm, upset and distress to others - but you can bet it won't ultimately be pleasant for them. The seeds that they have sown will grow into a particularly distasteful crop.)
More musings from Andrew...
I've just found out about block quotes - I really can't believe I've written blog posts without knowing this. Going to have to go back and edit them now - but maybe not just yet.
When I was doing budgets, costings and forecasts for the Spend to Save team... my fellow-director hadn't yet started school. (Yes, the grey hairs are genuine.) All those battles with Excel have turned out to be useful - I won't say how many years down the line it is.
Some people become progressively less able to think for themselves the more times they are promoted within an organisation. Sometimes I wonder if they undergo progressive lobotomies - it's certainly one possibility.
Be very suspicious when people make exaggerated claims about themselves or what they can do for you. Obviously this doesn't apply to Qryztal.
On the other hand, never ever put yourself down. There are plenty of people in life who will delight in trying to destroy your self confidence - they don't need you to help them.
Speaking of foes, these can sometimes be found within one's own family (thankfully not mine) or disguised as friends. But they will always show their true colours in time. And when that time comes, having one or two true and trusted friends is going to help ease the blow.
If at all possible, build your support network when things are going well. Hopefully those people might be there for you if times get hard. But be prepared to be misunderstood and perhaps abandoned by the ones who are only there for you in times of fair weather rather than foul.
If you are kind and good-hearted... there are those who will take advantage of you. But you will reap what you have sown - the good stuff will be paid back to you. (I can't say what happens to those who cause harm, upset and distress to others - but you can bet it won't ultimately be pleasant for them. The seeds that they have sown will grow into a particularly distasteful crop.)
