Showkeir Jamie D - Authentic conversations: moving from manipulation to truth and commitment

More Praise for Authentic Conversations

After thirty-five years working in newspapers and nine more as a school readiness advocate, I wished I had read this book decades ago. It would have helped so much. Its basic theme of honest, respectful conversations is the answer to so much in business and in life.

David Lawrence Jr., President, The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation, and retired publisher, The Miami Herald

The Showkeirs have written a book that gives us the tools for conversations that can help us create a shared purpose and the future we hope for. This authentic approach is essential not only for business results but for any conversation that is important to you.

Nancy Light, Senior Associate Director of Philanthropy, The Nature Conservancy, Maine Chapter

This book is for everyone, from the CEO to the everyday employee, who is serious about working in an organization in which every person has a deep personal commitment to the success of the business. The concepts and practical steps outlined in this book are easy to understand and are a genuine source of sustainable competitive advantage. This book offers us hope.

Jim Burke, Regional Director of Human Resources, Asia Pacific, Watson Wyatt Worldwide

If you believe that conversations change the world and if you have a passion for organizations that work, you will want this book. This book has the combination of relevance, inspiration, and actionable steps that I seek in books.

John Schuster, Principal, Schuster Kane Alliance, and author of The Power of Open-Book Management and Answering Your Call

This book is about sharing the truth with each other in ways that build effective relationships and improve business results. It is not a fairy tale but an honest, hard-hitting book. And its not just for leaders or managersit is for everyone in your organization. If you want to compete successfully in the world marketplace, you need Authentic Conversations.

Dr. Kent M. Keith, CEO, Greenleaf Center for ServantLeadership, and author of Anyway: The Paradoxical Commandments

I cant remember the last time I was this excited about a book on corporate cultures and leadership. Authentic Conversations gets to the heart of what is really going on in organizations, presents persuasive business reasons for change, and puts forth a proven strategy to get on with unleashing the organizations buried and dormant core potential. It left me wanting more.

Patrick J. Banks, PhD, President, Banks International, LLC

The Showkeirs take on using conversations for cultural transformation is refreshing and eminently logical. They challenge much of the conventional wisdom about managing people. This book teaches us how to intrinsically inspire individuals to choose to succeed.

Bob Gremillion, Executive Vice President, Tribune Publishing Company

The Showkeirs new book envisions organizations where employees treat each other as business partners, colleagues, and trusted advisors, allowing the wisdom of the organization to emerge. For leaders ready to share power in order to build an organization that is stronger, more responsive, more flexible, and more focused on serving customers, this book is a field manual for changing cultures. It is a must read.

Melvin D. Dowdy, PhD, Executive Director, Center for Organizational Excellence, Bon Secours Richmond Health System

Authentic Conversations is one of the most important books Ive read in years. It makes a compelling case for the great benefitsboth for people and for organizationsthat can come from engaging in true conversation.

Larry C. Spears, President and CEO, The Spears Center for Servant-Leadership, Inc.

Authentic Conversations gives us a chance to renew and revive a lost art and essential foundational element so our society can be viable. Additionally, this book gives us models for how to have conversations for those who have never been exposed to an authentic conversation.

Corwin Harper, Senior Vice President/Area Manager, Kaiser Permanente

Authentic Conversations

Moving from Manipulation
to Truth and Commitment

Jamie Showkeir and Maren Showkeir
Foreword by Margaret J. Wheatley

Authentic Conversations

Copyright 2008 by Jamie Showkeir and Maren Showkeir
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

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First Edition
Paperback print edition ISBN 978-1-57675-595-2
PDF e-book ISBN 978-1-57675-981-3
IDPF e-book ISBN 978-1-60509-693-3

2010-2

Interior Design: Valerie Brewster. Copy Editor: Lunaea Weatherstone. Cover Design: The Book Designers/Ian Shimkoviak. Proofreader: Henrietta Bensussen. Production Service: Linda Jupiter Productions. Indexer: Medea Minnich.

June 12, 1939May 30, 2001

Joel was not a saint and writing about him as if he were would do no justice to his memory. Those who knew him best described him as difficult. They would say that to have a relationship with him meant doing it on his terms. He viewed voice mail, for instance, as an invitation to return the call, not an obligation. He often described himself seriously, despite his impish grin, as a down person, who actually likes winter in New Jersey.

Even so, his thinking and work were full of hope and lightand pragmatism. Joel found usefulness in lofty ideas only to the extent they could enhance organizations and life in practical ways. He was well acquainted with frustration and disillusionment, and yet he believed to the core of his soul that choosing optimism and commitment in the face of disappointment was the only true way to live.