Table of Contents
Foreword 11
Acknowledgments 13
Introduction: Why Bother Having Hard Conversations? (Why Is It an Art?) 15
Part 1 Perspectives and Personalities-Understanding and Embracing the Challenge
1 The Place of Personality in Hard Conversations 21
2 Fears, Arguments, and Invisible Walls 35
3 Addressing Our Walls 52
4 Changing Lives 69
5 A Time to Be Silent, a Time to Offend 85
Part 2 Prepare for Success
6 Where Is the Path to the Point? 101
7 What Do I Know About the Other Person? 117
8 What Emotions May Be Involved in This Conversation? 134
9 What Biblical Guidelines Exist for This Conversation? (Is It Based in Truth?) 152
10 Is This Conversation Grounded and Timed in Love? 169
11 What's My Plan for Following Up Either Success or Rejection? 184
Part 3 Putting the Art into Practice
12 Openings and Agreements 197
13 Now We're Talking (Tips for Midtalk) 209
14 Commence Conversations 225
An Invitation to Keep Talking 237