We Need to Talk: How to Have Conversations That Matter

We Need to Talk: How to Have Conversations That Matter

by Celeste Headlee
We Need to Talk: How to Have Conversations That Matter

We Need to Talk: How to Have Conversations That Matter

by Celeste Headlee

Hardcover

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Overview

“WE NEED TO TALK.”

In this urgent and insightful book, public radio journalist Celeste Headlee shows us how to bridge what divides us—by having real conversations

BASED ON THE TED TALK WITH OVER 10 MILLION VIEWS
NPR's Best Books of 2017

Winner of the 2017 Silver Nautilus Award in Relationships & Communication

“We Need to Talk is an important read for a conversationally-challenged, disconnected age. Headlee is a talented, honest storyteller, and her advice has helped me become a better spouse, friend, and mother.”  (Jessica Lahey, author of New York Times bestseller The Gift of Failure)

Today most of us communicate from behind electronic screens, and studies show that Americans feel less connected and more divided than ever before. The blame for some of this disconnect can be attributed to our political landscape, but the erosion of our conversational skills as a society lies with us as individuals.

And the only way forward, says Headlee, is to start talking to each other. In We Need to Talk, she outlines the strategies that have made her a better conversationalist—and offers simple tools that can improve anyone’s communication. For example: 

  • BE THERE OR GO ELSEWHERE. Human beings are incapable of multitasking, and this is especially true of tasks that involve language. Think you can type up a few emails while on a business call, or hold a conversation with your child while texting your spouse? Think again.
  • CHECK YOUR BIAS. The belief that your intelligence protects you from erroneous assumptions can end up making you more vulnerable to them. We all have blind spots that affect the way we view others. Check your bias before you judge someone else.
  • HIDE YOUR PHONE. Don’t just put down your phone, put it away. New research suggests that the mere presence of a cell phone can negatively impact the quality of a conversation.

Whether you’re struggling to communicate with your kid’s teacher at school, an employee at work, or the people you love the most—Headlee offers smart strategies that can help us all have conversations that matter.

 


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780062669001
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication date: 09/19/2017
Pages: 272
Product dimensions: 5.80(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

CELESTE HEADLEE is an award-winning journalist, professional speaker and the author of We Need To Talk: How To Have Conversations That Matter, and Do Nothing: How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving. An expert in conversation, human nature, reclaiming our common humanity and finding well-being, Celeste frequently provides insight on what is good for all humans and what is bad for us, focusing on the best research in neuro and social science to increase understanding of how we relate with one another and can work together in beneficial ways in our workplaces, neighborhoods, communities and homes. She is a regular guest host on NPR and American Public Media and a highly sought consultant, advising companies around the world on conversations about race, diversity and inclusion. Her TEDx Talk sharing 10 ways to have a better conversation has over 23 million total views, and she serves as an advisory board member for ProCon.org and The Listen First Project. Celeste is the recipient of the 2019 Media Changemaker Award. She is the proud granddaughter of composer William Grant Still, the Dean of African American Composers. 

Table of Contents

Introduction ix

Part I

1 Conversation is a Survival Skill 3

2 Communication and Conversation are not the Same 19

3 You Can't Outsmart a Bad Conversation 31

4 Set the Stage 49

5 Some Conversations are Harder than Others 59

Part II

6 Be There or go Elsewhere 89

7 It's Not the Same! 103

8 Get Off the Soapbox 121

9 Keep It Short 139

10 No Repeats 149

11 That's a Great Question 161

12 You Can't Know Everything 169

13 Stay Out of the Weeds 179

14 Travel Together 191

15 Listen! 205

16 Sometimes we Shouldn't Talk 223

Conclusion 229

Acknowledgments 235

Notes 237

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