Art of Conscious Conversations

Recognize the negative mental habits that derail conversations and destroy projects-and forge authentic, enduring, and productive connections. We live in conversations like fish live in water we're in them all the time, so we don't think about them much. As a result, we can find ourselves stuck in cyclical patterns of unproductive behaviors. We listen half-heartedly, react emotionally, and respond habitually, like we're on autopilot. This is a practical guide for thoughtfully reflecting on conversations and avoiding the common pitfalls that cause our relationships and work to go sideways. Chuck Wisner identifies four universal types of conversations and offers specific advice to maximize the effectiveness of each:Storytelling Investigate the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves and othersCollaborative Explore the way our stories and other people's stories interactCreative See new possibilities and discover unforeseen solutionsCommitment Make promises we know we can keepThese conversations unfold sequentially: Our awareness of our and others' stories transforms our ability to listen and collaborate, which opens our thoughts to creative possibilities, guiding us toward mindful agreements. Our conversations at home, at work, or in public can be sources of pleasure and stepping-stones toward success, or they can cause pain and lead to failure. Wisner shows how we can form a connection from the very first conversation and keep our discourse positive and productive throughout any endeavor. "e;A compelling read with a big impact."e; Susan McPherson, author of The Lost Art of Connecting