WELCOME,
Why this book ?
Never before has there been so much uncertainty and such rapid, decisive and challenging change, for men and women, organizations, societies and for the planet as a whole.
The challenges we face from global warming, the growing awareness of the scarcity of resources (which we thought were unlimited), the acceleration of technological breakthroughs, the prospects opened up by artificial intelligence and generative AI, as well as economic, geopolitical and social instability, make it more crucial than ever to take a step back, individually and collectively. With this book I therefore wanted to take part in launching an appeal to develop the capacity on a large scale to make these regular "freeze-frames" to the courageous conversations.
Indeed, there is an urgency to speak honestly and co-create new solutions. This requires commitment and courage—the courage to bring the real issues to the table and to be ready for the courageous conversations that follow.
But what is a courageous conversation? Is it simply "saying things as we think or perceive them?" Yes and no. In this book, you will discover a more effective way to overcome obstacles and defuse conflicts that arise in both everyday situations and major projects.
Discover the new book by Paule Boffa-Comby
Paule Boffa-Comby
What people are saying about this book?
> A book that offers a fresh perspective on the company and teamwork.
> A book that tells the truth about what works and what doesn't.
> A book that challenges both leaders and teams.
> A book that leaves you with the desire to take action, together!
Why this title?
"Courageous—and inspiring—conversations are like the heart and lungs of healthy relationships and the efficient functioning of teams and organizations.
They make the difference within high-performing teams... and are what’s missing from teams that perform less well."
Paule Boffa-Comby
Paule BOFFA-COMBY
Author of 'The Art of Courageous Conversations'
What you will find in this book?
Examples of courageous conversations.
Compelling business case studies.
Tools and exercises to develop or strengthen your future courageous conversations.
Also to be seen on the topic
On French Business Press
Plongée au coeur de l'économie - BE SMART
Le temps des conversations courageuses est venu - Les Echos
The summary of
The Art of Courageous Conversations
More than just another approach or a new methodology, this book on Courageous Conversations moves away from the one-size-fits-all approach to focus on the essential: on the “how?” How to build the future today and make things move forward? How to imbed a culture where everyone has the confidence needed to take responsibility, to instill a new mindset? How to scale up your transformation projects and ensure that they do not fall into the 60%-70% of such large projects that fail before they end? How to ensure your teams are engaged
and allow different cultures, skillsets and opinions to pool successfully?
The author will guide you through this new definition of courage and of the courageous conversation, an art fashioned over the last twenty years she has spent supporting business leaders and their teams in large French and multinational groups.
Discover and test they new definition through a series of real examples that will present you with new tools and some high-value tips :
► Become more effective as an individual and as a team ;
► Allow the whole organization to learn and innovate ;
► Defuse conflicts before they spin out of control or after they have started ;
► Tackle multiple challenges and find a balance between economic, social and environmental performance ;
► Make different profiles, cultures and skillsets work better together ;
► Reinforce the “yes we can” culture when face with crisis and uncertainty.
Sommary
Introduction 5
Preambule 11
What distinguishes (hyper)successful leaders, managers and teams
from others
A call for more courageous conversations to make the right decision
Courageous Conversations: what are they? 19
Are we all talking about the same thing?
A definition by way of example
Courageous Conversations: a muscle that needs to be worked 29
Identifying the trigger
Taking a step back and (re)finding the space to (re)act
Establishing positive intent
Creating the conditions for balanced discussion and mutual trust
Common Interest First (« ICF »)
Focus No°1 Courageous Conversations – summary of stages 47
Focus No°2 Two essential pillars of courageous conversations. 48
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Proof by example
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Pillar No°1: « We win together or we lose together » 54
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Pillar No°1: A difference of open always reveals information. 57
Focus No°3 Specific case - intercultural mode 59
Focus No°4 Specific case - hybrid mode 63
From theory to practice.
Examples to help you put theory into practice! 67
Example 1 - Disagreement within the team 72
Example 2 - The map is not the territory. 81
Example 3 - Bouncing back in a context of crisis. 88
A few words in closing 103
Courageous conversations, a culture that spreads and makes
everything possible