The Art of Conscious Conversations

Recognize the negative mental habits that derail conversations and destroy projectsand forge authentic, enduring, and productive connections.

We live in conversations like fish live in waterwe'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:

StorytellingInvestigate the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves and others
CollaborativeExplore the way our stories and other people's stories interact
CreativeSee new possibilities and discover unforeseen solutions
CommitmentMake promises we know we can keep

These 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 conversationsat home, at work, or in publiccan 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.

"A compelling read with a big impact." Susan McPherson, author of The Lost Art of Connecting

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