Book excerpt: From the bestselling author of Carrots and Sticks Don’t Work—proven communication techniques for turning workplace confrontations into respectful, successful collaborations In the workplace, the most common approach to what we believe will be a difficult or emotionally charged conversation can be summed up in one word: avoidance. Most of us will do anything to skirt conflict, but not only does that fail to resolve important issues, it typically harms our relationships and undermines productivity. In Let’s Talk About It, bestselling author and top consultant Dr. Paul Marciano presents a powerful collection of proven communication and relationship strategies that will transform your difficult conversations into healthy conversations. You’ll learn how to: Identify and shed the cognitive biases that hinder you from viewing situations from other people’s perspectives Recognize and address your own emotional triggers Use verbal and nonverbal communication to reduce conflict and foster collaboration Deal effectively with different personality types Navigate the course of a critical conversation from beginning to end Build, restore, and maintain healthy relationships Filled with ready-to-use sample scripts, real-world scenarios of common workplace disagreements, and proven psychological methods for diffusing conflicts effectively, Let’s Talk About It delivers everything you need to deal with the most challenging people and situations—confidently, competently, and collaboratively.