Fierce Conversations

Achieving Success at Work & in Life, One Conversation at a Time

By: Susan Scott

Narrated by: Susan Scott

Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's Summary

Fierce Conversations illuminates the path to a new degree of authenticity, a new way of expressing who you are and what you believe as a person and a leader.

Susan Scott trains clients in the art of fierce conversations, empowering them to achieve exceptional results through transforming dialogue. Success hinges on engaging people in ways that interrogate reality, provoke learning, tackle tough challenges, tap our deepest aspirations, and enrich relationships. Fierce Conversations takes you step-by-step through your first fierce conversation - with yourself - and on to the most challenging and important conversations facing you.

Susan Scott teaches you how to:

• Overcome barriers to meaningful conversation
• Expand and enrich the territory you explore with colleagues, friends, and family
• Explore issues by mining for increased clarity, improved understanding, and impetus for change
• Confront challenges with courage, compassion, and skill
• Leverage new skills for frictionless debate
• Handle strong emotions - your own as well as others'
• Build breakthrough relationships with colleagues, clients, friends, and family

Fierce Conversations is the master guidebook to transforming the conversations that are central to your success, offering a new way of relating to people - at work, at home, and in every area of your life.

©2002 Fierce Conversations Inc., All Rights Reserved (P)2002 Simon & Schuster Inc., All Rights Reserved, SOUND IDEAS Is an Imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Those whose conversations with co-workers or family members aren't producing the results they want will find plenty of helpful tools and assignments in this succinct guide." (Publishers Weekly)

Incredible!

Would you listen to Fierce Conversations again? Why?

Absolutely! This book really helped me breakthrough some barriers I've had with difficult conversations. I've always been one to sugar coat things, never wanting to make someone feel bad. The author helped me understand that straightforward honesty and accountability is where it's at... I've found the principles to be tried and true.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The entire volume. Loved it!

Took a while, but Scott eventually delivered

Where does Fierce Conversations rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the genre of Self-Improvement, this book is probably toward the top-middle of my list. Not my favorite but really good advice.

I must say that it took too long to get to the meat of the book. I was on the verge of giving up on it when she started to get into the applicable parts. Also, the book contains really useful strategies that are well laid out when you get to them, but she mentions them and defends them as if you are familiar with the tactics first, and then describes how to do them and what they are later (see "mineral rights" in the book). If I've bought a book on Fierce Conversations, I don't want to read half of it just to be convinced of its importance. If it's important, I'll keep reading. The book could have been better edited and arranged.

What other book might you compare Fierce Conversations to and why?

I'd compare this to Mindset by Carol Dweck. About that level of insight and really a book about practical ways to be more effective and happy. Mindset had a bit more hard science to it with studies and research driving it, whereas Fierce Conversations is driven by the anecdotal (but powerful) experiences of Susan Scott.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Not that the book is a story, but the Narration was generally well paced. I find that author-narrator is usually a bad idea. "Take of all the hats and write books please!" is my usual sentiment. She comes off a little school-marmy, but she's easy to understand and keeps you involved.

I thought it was excellent~

Not only helped me with issues at work, but is having a big impact on my marriage. Highly recommended...

Deadly dull

I don't know how good the author is at conversations, but the book is unbearable.

Tools Every Leader Needs

Would you consider the audio edition of Fierce Conversations to be better than the print version?

I have both the print and the audio version, and I need both. I listen to the audio version during "windshield time" and then review the print version. Both have value.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fierce Conversations?

"All conversations are with myself, and sometimes they involve other people."

Which character – as performed by Susan Scott – was your favorite?

No characters - this is nonficton.

What did you learn from Fierce Conversations that you would use in your daily life?

How to carry on effective communications in all conversations, especially in leadership and coaching situations.

relevant and real

If you could sum up Fierce Conversations in three words, what would they be?

Engaging - Entertaining - Educational

Who was your favorite character and why?

Me

Which character – as performed by Susan Scott – was your favorite?

N/A

What insight do you think you’ll apply from Fierce Conversations?

Silence is a powerful conversation strategy.

Any additional comments?

I have listened 3 times and keep learning/hearing something new each time.

Not enough

It seemed like mostly examples. I didn't find many "crunchy bits" or have any "a HA!" moments. She states that you should tell it strait and say what you mean instead of pussyfooting around. Thats what the whole book is about. For me it was redundant and disapointing.

Some good concepts but not sure I’ll change

Unfortunately I listened to this book over a period of months and so lost continuity. Scott makes some really good points and made me wish we could have more honest and straightforward conversations but I could not envisage applying many of her maxims in my workplace.

Refreshingly challenging.

There are so many amazing nuggets of truth and wisdom in the principles Susan Scott shares in this book.

I just finished a re-read and feel like a whole new set of guidelines has emerged.

The examples are often from a consultant’s interaction and do at times can feel irrelevant but she always cuts to the chase to revel such gems.

Do yourself a favour. Don’t rush through it. Digest it, try things out while you read, between segments. Then check back in.

Wonderfully applicable to business, and personal relationships alike. A call for introspection that if responded to is wildly rewarding.

Must read. Must implement.

Excellent wisdom on how to engage in helpful conversations that enable you to give yourself and your team the best chance for mutual success. For those who hate conflict this book takes all conflict out l, so you communicate well. For those of us who love conflict this book allows you to engage people without blowing them out of tour life. I intending to take this book step by step and say by day to fully implement however long it takes. And like most classics, I believe anytime I get stuck with someone the ideas in this book are going to helpful me get unstuck as much as it depends on me.