Come with me on an exploration of self-discovery.

On this podcast we decipher what really matters, as we unravel the chaos of day-to-day work

to learn how to build an essential life.

One of the most frequently asked questions I receive since writing effortless is how

do I make it easier, at least less awful, less difficult, less painful, to have conversations

with other people about the things that really matter most?

I've been doing some intense thinking on this subject myself because I'm working on a

new book about interpersonal communication and I always want to learn the best from the

best and so I have invited Joseph Grenny the very best of the very best one of the authors

of Crucial Conversations which has now sold some 5 million copies and counting perennially

imprint in a third edition that's just recently been updated and come out.

So for those listening do you have in your own life any high stakes conversations that you

need to have that are important to have but that you're putting off? Of course you do and so

listen to this conversation if you want to be more skilled at negotiating what matters most,

when it matters most, with the people who matter most.

Joseph Grenny, welcome to the What's Essential Podcast.

I've been looking forward to our conversation. Thank you for the invitation, Greg.

Is that really true, Joseph, or is that just a polite line?

I rarely say polite things so I would count it as truth if I were you.

I've been looking forward to it because I feel like you and I sort of cross paths in our lives

but without really crossing paths. I did speak at a vital smarts event a couple of years ago.

I feel like you might have been on the table next to me when I was sitting before going up

...