40 pages • 1 hour read
Douglas Stone, Sheila Heen, Bruce PattonDifficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1999A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
In what way do Stone, Patton, and Heen, in the first chapter, make a distinction between the three different conversations and discerning three important aspects to the same conversation?
How does judgment play a role in approaching difficult conversations? Use specific examples from the text.
When should conversations not be initiated, or dropped after a period of time? How can these situations be identified?
How can the parties in dialogue make sure to respect the differing perspectives each is bringing to the table without relativizing the question of the truth, or “what really happened”?
According to the authors, what is the difference between assigning blame in conflict versus discerning the differing aspects of contribution in conflict?
How do the authors recommend handling the inevitability of emotions in relation to the need to be as objective as possible in order to arrive at mutual understanding?
Explain the interrelation of personal identity (who you are, substantially), emotions (how you are feeling and reacting to external stimuli in any particular moment), and words/actions (how you express yourself to others).
How does purpose come into play when initiating and guiding a conversation toward a particular endpoint? What should be the purpose of a difficult conversation, and what are the most common misconceptions in this regard?
What are the three most common mistakes in initiating and conducting a difficult conversation, and how can they be avoided?
Why do the authors recommend always beginning difficult conversations by referring to the “third story,” from an objective outsider’s perspective? How do the personal and the objective interact?
