The 10th-anniversary edition of the New York Times business bestseller-now updated with “Answers to Ten Questions People Ask” We attempt or avoid difficult conversations every day-whether dealing with an underperforming employee, disagreeing with a spouse, or negotiating with a client. From the Harvard Negotiation Project, the organization that brought you Getting to Yes, Difficult Conversations provides a step-by-step approach to having those tough conversations with less stress and more success. you’ll learn how to: * Decipher the underlying structure of every difficult conversation * Start a conversation without defensiveness * Listen for the meaning of what is not said * Stay balanced in the face of attacks and accusations * Move from emotion to productive problem solving

From the Harvard Negotiation Project–which brought you the megabestseller GETTING TO YES–this practical guide will help you handle your most difficult conversations with confidence and skill Whether dealing with an underperforming employee or a challenging colleague, disagreeing with your spouse about money or child-rearing, negotiating with a client, or simply saying “No,” “I’m sorry,” or “I love you,” we attempt or avoid difficult conversations every day. No matter how competent we are, we all have conversations that cause anxiety and frustration. This book can help. Based on almost thirty years of research, Difficult Conversations walks you through a step-by-step approach for how to have your toughest conversations with less stress and more success. You’ll learn how to: * Decipher the underlying structure and challenge of every difficult conversation * Raise tough issues without triggering defensiveness * Manage strong emotions–yours and theirs * Keep your balance no matter how the other person responds * Get to the heart of the matter in ways that promote learning and build relationships Filled with examples from everyday life, this third edition is thoroughly updated and addresses issues such as race, culture, gender, power, social media, and communicating via technology as we talk to one another across the world–and across worldviews. With constructive communication an ever more critical need in personal, professional, and public life, Difficult Conversations is a classic you will turn to again and again for powerful, practical advice.