People often ask what it was like to write Crucial Conversations with four authors. Sometimes it’s asked with a voyeuristic fascination, as though the unstated question is, “Were there some knock-down, drag-out fights along the way?” The truth is it took a lot of Crucial Conversations to write Crucial Conversations. But there were surprisingly few in writing the third edition. Since Kerry, Al and Ron have retired, the work fell completely to Emily and me.
For the most part, working with Emily in this new way was a joy. She relentlessly examines herself for ways she can become a better person. I have watched her for twenty years hold others accountable, examine and improve her own habits, and learn to influence our ever-growing employee population.
But if you want a voyeuristic peek into our writing experience together, I’d have to acknowledge there was at least one Crucial Conversation...
