This book is a very useful guide for a common problem that I believe most people experience. It gives down-to earth information with easy to follow "scripts". If used consistently and properly, I believe it can lead to effective communication, and better understanding between people.

If you have ever been an employer, a parent, or even a spouse, you know all about difficult conversations. This book, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Difficult Conversations, will give you the tools and tips you need to discuss hard topics in a calm, cool, professional manner, enabling you to get your point across without the conversation degenerating into a free-for-all.

Written in an informative, easy style, this book can be read quickly. It also makes an excellent reference tool and should be in the personal library of anyone who deals with people. Covering both professional and personal situations, this Guide provides workable steps to confidently introduce unpleasant topics, prevent blame, work through defensiveness, and make the right decisions.

As an employer who recently had to fire a poor performer (but a very nice guy), I found this to be an invaluable tool. I was able to lead the conversation, to disengage from tangential and defensive subjects, keep the conversation on track, prevent emotion from taking over, and eventually do the unhappy job that needed to be done. Ms. Hirsch's Guide assisted me every step of the way.

I can highly recommend the book to just about anyone. It certainly was of great value to me.