1. Crucial Conversations:
Effective Communication When It Matters Most
NANCY FRY, PHD
NOVEMBER 19, 2014

2. Agenda
1. What are Crucial Conversations
2. What are common “de-railers”
3. Framework for having an effective Crucial
Conversation

3. Crucial “Factors”
 Diverse opinions
 It’s important to you!
 Strong emotions – yours (and theirs!)
 Often spontaneous discussions
 Fight, flight, freeze
 Unconscious, automatic response

4. Strategies - Silence
1. Avoid people (in-person, phone calls, emails) and
situations associated with a challenging or sensitive
issue
2. Hold back my opinions
3. Change the subject rather than talk about difficult
issues
4. Offer insincere compliments before providing
constructive feedback to someone

5. Strategies - Violence
1. Control the conversation by cutting people off or
changing the subject to what I want to talk about
2. Let people know when you think they make a dumb
remark
3. In the midst of the debate, move from arguing the
point to making comments that might hurt or
insult the other person
4. Get caught up in winning the “battle” versus
looking for common ground

6. Silence & Violence Destroys
Silence Violence
 Higher risk of failure
(project , health,
relationship)
 Contributes to
miscommunication
 Lowers self-confidence
 Harms relationships,
teamwork, &
collaboration
 Higher risk of failure by
silencing other voices
 Reduces employee
engagement &
productivity
 Lowers trust
 Harms relationships,
teamwork, &
collaboration
Everyone has a voice and all voices are needed

7. True Confidence
 Speak your voice
 Make it safe for everyone
 Seek diverse opinions
 Listen with curiosity and openness
 Focus on the “we” goals versus “me” goals
 Be able to stand strong or change your mind based
on all the known relevant information

8. Search for the “AND”
 Avoid the “either/or” goal trap
 “I can EITHER give honest feedback OR lose a friend”
 “I can EITHER shut this person down OR look like I don’t have
the answer”
 Search for the “AND”
 I can give honest feedback AND maintain a good relationship?
 How can I be open to different viewpoints AND maintain the
respect of my followers?

9. Search for the “AND” Exercise
 Think of an upcoming crucial conversation this week
 What is your “AND” goal for this conversation?
 What do you really want?
 What you really DON’T want
 Reverse what you DON’T want in order to come up with
“AND” goal
 Talk to your neighbor (pair up)

10. Beginning the Conversation
Jane: Hey Sally, can I ask you a tough question?
Sally: Of course.
J: You’ve been asking us to cut departmental costs for
the last 3 months. I’m finding it hard to do that. Can
I tell you one reason that’s making it hard for us?
S: Sure!
J: Well, while we’re not able to buy any new PCs,
you’re having a new office built. Rumor has it that
the artwork alone costs $100k. Is that right?

11. Sally’s Response
 How might Sally be feeling right now?
 Ineffective responses: Violence
 Effective response: Ask Yourself:
 What do I really want?
 What do I want for others?
 What do I want for the relationship?
 What is Sally’s goal?
 To lower costs and get team buy-in and maintain their respect
for her leadership (will she be open and honest as she has
stated she would)
 Adopt an Attitude of Gratitude

12. Use Emotions as Data NOT Fuel
 When you notice your strong emotions:
 Become the “Impartial Spectator”
 Ask yourself the 3 questions
 Remember time gap between thoughts/action
 Use the mute button
 Drink a glass of water
 Deep calming breaths
 It’s okay to leave the conversation and come back
 Reframe how you see the other person
 Practice

13. Respect Roadmap
 Respect – Beginning, Middle & End!
 Just the facts
 Mutual goals
 Invite dialogue (avoid absolutes to reflect probability
that you might be partially wrong)
 Stay focused on goals (use emotions as data not fuel)
 Agree on next steps

14. Conclusion
 Everyone’s voice is valuable
 Strive for True Confidence
 Search for the “AND”
 Use Emotions as Data not Fuel
 Follow the Respect Roadmap

15. Contact Info:
Nancy Fry, PhD
913-735-0226
drnancy@nancyfry.com
www.nancyfry.com
References: Crucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, & Switzler