University of Minnesota - UMN Executive Leadership Insights
Powerful Conversations
Book

Powerful Conversations

How High Impact Leaders Communicate

Phil Harkins
McGraw-Hill, 1999
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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Applicable

Recommendation

When you talk, do people listen? Communicating effectively is essential in the business world. It is the first step in the path toward leadership. While other business books discuss leadership as a whole, this one focuses in on one of the most basic - and often overlooked - prerequisites to leadership: excellent communication skills. While most of the suggestions presented in Powerful Conversations seem like simple common sense, the book does get you to focus on critical points that you probably take for granted, like building trust, preparing in advance for potentially touchy conversations and actually listening to what other people say. In addition, it offers some helpful conversational strategies and pointers for determining when your meeting is heading south. getAbstract recommends this book to executives in leadership positions, who will be reminded to brush up on their conversational style and delivery, and to business people and students looking to talk their way to the top.

Summary

Tough Talk

Although most people don’t realize it, good conversations drive action. For example, most CEOs hold regular meetings with their vice presidents and other key individuals. What they do at these meetings is talk. They don’t speak for the sake of mere conversation; they speak for a reason. Most CEOs have a vision and desire to shape their organizations and, in some cases, their industries. But, they can’t change anything without the support of their staffs. They gather support for their initiatives through meetings, e-mails, faxes and other forms of communication. Although it sounds simple, good communication is not easy. Most communication is inconsistent, unclear and easily misinterpreted, particularly in a business setting, where most people do not feel comfortable expressing their true feelings.

What makes a conversation "good" or "powerful?" A conversation must pass through three stages before it can be labeled powerful. First, all people involved in the conversation must share their important feelings, beliefs and ideas with others. Second, they must clearly express their wants and needs - and others must hear them without judgment. Finally, a good conversation...

About the Author

Phil Harkins is president of Linkage, Inc., a global organizational development company he founded in 1988. Prior to creating Linkage, he held both domestic and international senior management positions at Keane, Inc. and Raytheon Co. Harkins and Warren Bennis, who wrote the book’s introduction, co-chair Linkage’s Global Institute for Leadership Development. Much of the material used in Powerful Conversations was formulated while studying with Chris Argyris of Harvard University.

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