52 pages • 1 hour read
Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al SwitzlerCrucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High
Nonfiction | Reference/Text Book | Adult | Published in 2002A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Key Figures
Kerry Patterson
Kerry Patterson is one of the coauthors of Crucial Conversations and a key figure in the field of interpersonal communication. Patterson obtained a bachelor of science (BS) in marketing, a master’s degree in organizational behavior at Brigham Young University, and went on to complete doctoral work at Stanford University. This solid educational foundation laid the groundwork for his career in researching and teaching effective communication strategies, including as chief development officer at VitalSmarts.
Patterson’s dedication to understanding the dynamics of human communication led him to coauthor several influential books alongside his colleagues, including Crucial Confrontations (2004) and Influencer (2007). His work reflects a commitment to helping individuals and organizations navigate difficult conversations and achieve better outcomes. This business expertise appears in the workplace scenarios detailed throughout Crucial Conversations. Furthermore, his contributions as a speaker and consultant have made him a sought-after authority on communication and leadership.
Joseph Grenny
Joseph Grenny, another coauthor, is a renowned expert in organizational change and human behavior. His career has been dedicated to understanding how individuals and groups can foster effective communication and drive positive change within organizations.
Grenny’s educational background includes studies in organizational communication and psychology. He has a bachelor of arts (BA) in organizational communication from Brigham Young University and has completed postgraduate work in psychology. Grenny’s academic foundation, combined with his practical experience, has informed his contributions to the field of interpersonal dynamics. His background in psychology informs the emotional components of Crucial Conversations, which detail the inner workings of the mind and embodied responses when engaging in communication.
One of Grenny’s notable achievements is his co-founding of VitalSmarts, a leading organizational training and development company. VitalSmarts has played a pivotal role in disseminating the principles outlined in Crucial Conversations to organizations worldwide, helping them improve their communication and leadership capabilities.
Ron McMillan
Ron McMillan, another coauthor of Crucial Conversations, brings expertise in organizational behavior and interpersonal skills to the writing team. He has made significant contributions to the field of communication through his research, writing, and consulting work.
McMillan’s academic journey includes studying organizational communication at Brigham Young University. His passion for understanding how individuals and groups interact and communicate has been a driving force in his career. He has played a role in developing practical tools and strategies to improve dialogue and collaboration in a variety of settings, and this ranging expertise influences the wide variety of communicative contexts discussed in the book.
Al Switzler
Al Switzler, the fourth coauthor of Crucial Conversations, is celebrated for his expertise in communication and leadership. He has made contributions to the field through his research, publications, and consulting work.
Like Grenny, Switzler’s academic background includes studies in organizational communication and psychology. He has a BA in organizational communication and a master of arts (MA) in interpersonal communication from Brigham Young University.
Like his coauthors, Switzler has been an integral part of VitalSmarts, helping organizations implement the principles outlined in Crucial Conversations to enhance their communication and leadership capabilities. His academic foundation led to his work on understanding and improving communication within organizations.
