Amazon Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review to be helpful:
Be Deliberate, Let Conversation Work for You, August 10, 2009
By Laura L. Tiberi
At a recent Board Meeting where our non-profit organization struggled over some challenging programmatic and fiscal decisions, one Board member remarked that "Hope is not a strategy."
The Four Conversations gives design, strategy, and tools for designing the future through understanding how productive conversation works, bringing clarity to daily communications, and illustrating with realtistic scenarios workplace pitfalls and the role conversational design and patterns play. The tools for a successful conversational workplace- and strategies to replace the vague strategy of hope- were exactly the impetus I needed.
5 of 5 people found the following review to be helpful:
Should be required reading for managers!, September 28, 2009
By J. Gilbert
As a manager I have read several different books to assist with communication. They are often filled with complex charts and theories and are problematic in both theory and execution. The Four Conversations is not one of those books! This is probably the single most effective communication tool I have used.
At work, I have started to experiment with the different conversations. I have been able to identify where my communication was ineffective, and how I am contributing to entertaining the excuses for poor performance and missed deadlines. I will say that in the short time I have been using the 4 conversations, I have gotten what I wanted earlier. I would say that so far I am saving myself at minimum of 2-4 hours a week. Making the expectations clear and getting good promises has been the biggest help, along with having the closure conversations and acknowledging what has not been done.
Not only useful in my professional life, The Four Conversations have been effective in my personal life as well My wife always "loves" when I read a new communication book. Occasionally, she will say "So what wondrous book are you reading now?" Applying this book to communication with my wife has made for a happier home as well! Instead of thinking that she should know what I want, I have been more direct in communication at home. On a side note, this has been one book I have read that she has not minded. (very effective!)
I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who is interested in increasing the effectiveness of their communication either personally or professionally. I believe this should be required reading for anyone who manages others in an organization.
5 of 5 people found the following review to be helpful:
The Four Conversations: Daily Communication That Gets Results, September 11, 2009
By Michael S. Bisesi, PhD
The Ford's have co-authored a very valuable book, especially for individuals with management and leadership responsibilities. The book is very well-written and organized; accordingly, it is engaging and easy to read in a single sitting. Very practical tactics and examples are presented regarding recommended and effective ways to interact and comunicate with others. This book will contribute to your professional development and be a valuable addition to your personal library.
4 of 4 people found the following review to be helpful:
A Book That Impacts Business, Families and Communities, September 4, 2009
By Maura Junius
The Four Conversations: Daily Communications That Gets Results explains the types of conversations needed to move an idea through to its fulfillment. Using real life examples of failures that are turned into successes by using the correct conversation, Jeffrey and Laurie Ford open the door to a new level of effectiveness and partnership in all aspects of life. In a clear and appealingly conversational tone, they guide you through the four conversations, making them tools to put into immediate use. Whether you are having a conversation with a neighbor to resolve a community issue or launching an idea to change the world, this is the book you want to reference.
4 of 4 people found the following review to be helpful:
Conversations that enhance collaboration, September 1, 2009
By Brian J. Stuhlmuller
Some of the work we do in client organizations is designed to help people develop new behaviors for themselves and those they work with. The key way we do this is to have our clients focus on their communication patterns - their habitual conversations with others.
When clients discover how their conversations limit their personal and organizational results, they want to know what new practices they can adopt - how can they change their communications to achieve alignment, foster engagement and collaboration , and promote accountability.
It is in this arena that the Fords have modeled these "conversations" - conversations that have people more effectively act, understand, relate and complete their work. The Four Conversations explores four different types of communication that when used appropriately, will have a positive impact on the results people produce when working with others.
This is not a hard or lengthy read. It's a book I recommend to my clients, and to anyone interested in better relationships, greater success, and more productive communication.
Brian J. Stuhlmuller
Sr. V.P.
Distinctions, Inc.
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