Fierce Conversations

Our top ten list at TCM includes books that help provide perspective and navigate life, personally and professionally.  Susan Scott in Fierce Conversations offers practical advice that can be applied to improve our work and life, one conversation at a time.  Her straightforward, simple, and valuable ways of navigating life are not theoretical but can be implemented in daily interactions. Scott shares several principles that can change the game when applied consistently and courageously!  One of my all-time favorite quotes is featured in Chapter One: Interrogate Reality.  

"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble.  It's what you know for sure that just ain't so." – Mark Twain.

The book and its principles reinforce character behaviors like authenticity, transparency, responsibility, honesty, and courage.  These are not abstract concepts but qualities that most individuals and companies aspire to live out daily in their cultures and strategies. The book's alignment with these common aspirations makes it a valuable resource for personal and professional growth.

"Authenticity is not something you have; it is something you choose." 

Scott's experience as an executive coach and her many interactions with key leaders are broad and deep. She does a masterful job of relating real-life stories from these leaders and their teams, demonstrating adaptability to develop and grow themselves and others. The principles are simple: being present, listening, and taking responsibility for our emotional wake!  

Your confusion is an asset; your search for clarity may blaze a path for others. Obey your instincts. 

Every book in this series has profoundly impacted my journey and my leadership. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking personal and professional growth. The insights and principles shared in this book have been instrumental in shaping my approach to leadership and navigating life's challenges.  

Tips to Remember from Fierce Conversations

• INTERROGATE REALITY

• COME OUT FROM BEHIND YOURSELF INTO THE CONVERSATION AND MAKE IT REAL

• BE HERE, PREPARED TO BE NOWHERE ELSE

• TACKLE YOUR TOUGHEST CHALLENGES TODAY

• OBEY YOUR INSTINCTS

• TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR EMOTIONAL WAKE

• LET SILENCE DO THE HEAVY LIFTING