These conversational fingerprints underlie the emotions we feel and the stories we tell ourselves and others. Our natural patterns of talking and listening are so ingrained that they run on unconscious autopilot in the background of our minds. Our fingerprints serve us well when conversations with bosses, colleagues, kids, and friends go smoothly and when our emotions are positive, confident, and joyful. But when conversations take a turn toward frustration, anger, confusion, or fear, we often find ourselves at a loss for words, not knowing how to talk about the things that matter. How could he have said that to her? Why on earth is my boss so dense? I guess I won’t ever bring that subject up at the dinner table ever again!”

This book examines the how and the why of conversations, and it explores the way we can reframe our thoughts, emotions, reactions, and interactions.

The Art Of Conscious Conversations is organized around four universal types of conversations: storytelling, collaborating, creating, and committing. Each one presents tools and practices to increase our awareness and to improve the quality of our interactions at work and at home.