an online book by David Gurteen
A difficult conversation is a conversation that is emotionally challenging or uncomfortable. It often involves discussing a sensitive or delicate topic involving conflict, disagreement, or hurt feelings.
Conversation is interactive communication between two or more people. The development of conversational skills and etiquette is an important part of socialization. The development of conversational skills in a new language is a frequent focus of language teaching and learning. Conversation analysis is a branch of sociology which studies the structure and organization of human interaction, with a more specific focus on conversational interaction.
Credit: Wikipedia - conversationNew Discourses convened in October of 2019 in the National Liberal Club of London for a day-long conference titled Speaking Truth to Social Justice. There, Portland State University philosophy professor Peter Boghossian gave a talk about the need to “speak truth in the face of danger,” parrhesia, as the Ancient Greeks called it, as this … Continue reading The Way Forward Peter Boghossian (2019)
How can we begin to resolve our problems, if even our conversations about them keep breaking down? video playerImpossible Conversations | Peter Boghossian The larger point is that what we need to do is we need to speak openly and honestly about things and if we don’t those problems – the earth doesn’t give a … Continue reading Impossible Conversations Peter Boghossian (2019)
In our current political climate, it seems impossible to have a civil conversation with someone who has a different opinion. Dialogue is shut down when perspectives clash. Heated debates on Facebook and Twitter often lead to shaming, hindering any possibility of productive discourse. In this book, How to Have Impossible Conversations, Peter Boghossian and James … Continue reading How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide by Peter Boghossian and James Lindsay (2019)
Gurteen Knowledge Blog March 10, 2023, 16:46Much is written about difficult conversations, but much less about impossible conversations. But what is the difference? Here is how I define the two types of conversation: Handling impossible conversations is about more than just having a bunch of tricks or techniques at our disposal, although these insightful ideas from … Continue reading Engaging in Impossible Conversations Impossible conversations are different from difficult conversations
AustraliaAustriaBrazilCanadaChinaCzech RepublicEgyptFranceGermanyGlobalIndiaItalyJapanMexicoNetherlandsPolandSaudia ArabiaSingaporeSpainTurkeyUAEUnited KingdomUnited States As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission when you purchase a book via this site. Posts where this book is embedded Conversation Covenant Creating a psychologically safer space for impossible conversations Difficult Conversations Navigating emotionally challenging conversations > Tags: conversation (186) | difficult conversations (9)Google Web Search Photo … Continue reading Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton , Sheila Heen (1999)
Polarization of opinions is becoming more prevalent in today’s society and is creating both unrest at the societal level as well as conflict within small groups with different views. We are polarized across political, religious, moral, and racial divides. We fail to communicate with each other and treat people with conflicting beliefs as our enemies. … Continue reading Opinion Polarization We are polarized across political, religious, moral, and racial divides
Our beliefs are deeply rooted and are based on little evidence, yet we argue and fight over them. It is essential that we better understand the nature of our beliefs and how they are formed and learn to question and revise them. Our beliefs We are polarized across political, religious, moral, and racial divides. At … Continue reading Rethinking Our Beliefs It is not easy to change our beliefs
When discussing a controversial topic, it is easy for the discussion to become hostile and for the participants to launch ad hominem attacks, thus creating a climate of fear. Participants need to agree to a set of rules upfront that helps create a safer psychological environment to explore ideas openly. What is a conversation covenant? … Continue reading Conversation Covenant Creating a psychologically safer space for impossible conversations
A difficult conversation is unpleasant, one where we feel discomfort and awkwardness, such as asking our boss for a pay rise or confronting a neighbor. So how do we handle difficult conversations? Examples of difficult conversations include: Discussing a difficult diagnosis. Breaking up with a partner. Addressing a problem with a friend. Discussing an issue … Continue reading Difficult Conversations Navigating emotionally challenging conversations
