Authentic Conversations Moving from Manipulation to Truth and Commitment [Paperback]

In this groundbreaking new book, Jamie and Maren Showkeir take something people typically think of as merely functional—ordinary conversation—and show how it can lead to a workforce that is engaged and energized or to one that is alienated and uninspired. All too often workplace conversations create what the authors call parent-child relationships. People hide facts, sugarcoat reality, and claim helplessness to try to control the interaction and get what they want. The Showkeirs demonstrate how we can move to honest and authentic interactions: adult conversations that create increased commitment, true accountability, and improved business performance. They offer examples of parent-child and adult-adult workplace conversations in a variety of settings and provide a hands-on guide, including sample scripts, for dealing with a host of potentially difficult conversations.DEDICATION
FOREWORD by Margaret J. Wheatley
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION – The Dangerous Book for Adults
CHAPTER 1 – Revolutionary Conversations for Results
CHAPTER 2 – Relationships That Don’t Work at Work
CHAPTER 3 – The Myth of Holding Others Accountable
CHAPTER 4 – You Can’t Make All the 4th Graders Happy
CHAPTER 5 – Hostages to Disappointment
CHAPTER 6 – Change the Conversation, Change the Culture
CHAPTER 7 – Moving from Manipulation to Engagement
CHAPTER 8 – Stop Courting the Cynic
CHAPTER 9 – Cutting the Ties That Bind
CHAPTER 10 – Declaration of Interdependence
CHAPTER 11 – Open Season – Remove the Camouflage!
CONCLUSION – Starting the Revolution
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO AUTHENTIC Conversations
Suggestions for Getting Started
Facing a Difficult Issue
Seeking an Exception
Proposing Change
Introducing a Mandate
Renegotiating an Established Relationship
Initiating Endings
Dealing with Individual Performance
A Radical Performance-Al³V