Difficult Conversations (HBR 20-Minute Manager Series)

Mastering difficult conversations with confidence.

You have to talk with a colleague about a fraught situation, but you''re worried that they''ll yell, or blame you, or shut down. You fear your emotions could block you from a resolution. But you can communicate in a way that''s constructive—not combative. Difficult Conversations walks you through:

• Uncovering the root cause of friction
• Maintaining a positive mind-set
• Untangling the problem together
• Agreeing on a way forward

Don''t have much time? Get up to speed fast on the most essential business skills with HBR''s 20-Minute Manager series. Whether you need a crash course or a brief refresher, each book in the series is a concise, practical primer that will help you brush up on a key management topic. Advice you can quickly read and apply, for ambitious professionals and aspiring executives—from the most trusted source in business.