Daily, we all face opportunities to convey difficult messages to peers, bosses and employees from news about sales shortfalls to discussions of sexual harassment. This work provides advice on the principles, strategies and skills for becoming an effective and courageous messenger at work.

Acknowledgements

The Authors

Part One: Everyday Acts of Courage

1. Welcome to this Book

2. Courageous Messengers

3. Messengers and Tough News

4. Becoming a Skilled Messenger

Part Two: Finding the Courage

5. Courage is an Inside Job

6. Know Your True Message

7. Know Your Real Motivation

8. Assess Your Risk

9. Understand Your Yes-Buts

10. Make a Decision

Part Three: Acting with Courage

11. Get Ready for the Conversation

12. Open the Conversation

13. Present Your Message and Motivation

14. Talk About Your Message with Your Receiver

15. Wrap Up the Conversation

16. Follow Through

Part Four: The Tough Cases

17. Do You Really have a Tough Case

18. Get Ready for a Tough Case

19. Talk with Your Receiver in a Tough Case

Part Five: Sustaining the Courage

20. How Did It Go? What Did You Learn?

21. The Messengers's Transformation

22. Changing the Organization by Speaking Up

The Messenger's Tool Box-Basic Communication Skills-When You Are the Receiver of Tough News-When You Cannot Deliver Your Message in Person-Summary of Tips for Messengers

The book to read before you open your mouth. This survival manual relates the finer points of communicating bad news, voicing strong opinions and discussing difficult issues at the office without compromising your position...or your job. Filled with tips, illuminating stories, and a practical "tool box" of exercises, The Courageous Messenger gives you the means to assess the benefits, risks and motivations of communicating difficult messages. It helps you become a skilled messenger. And it teaches you how to speak with courage, clarity and -- most importantly -- diplomacy, whether you're addressing peers, bosses or employees.

AcknowledgementsThe Authors Part One: Everyday Acts of Courage 1. Welcome to this Book 2. Courageous Messengers 3. Messengers and Tough News 4. Becoming a Skilled Messenger Part Two: Finding the Courage 5. Courage is an Inside Job 6. Know Your True Message 7. Know Your Real Motivation 8. Assess Your Risk 9. Understand Your Yes-Buts 10. Make a Decision Part Three: Acting with Courage 11. Get Ready for the Conversation 12. Open the Conversation 13. Present Your Message and Motivation 14. Talk About Your Message with Your Receiver 15. Wrap Up the Conversation 16. Follow Through Part Four: The Tough Cases 17. Do You Really have a Tough Case 18. Get Ready for a Tough Case 19. Talk with Your Receiver in a Tough Case Part Five: Sustaining the Courage 20. How Did It Go? What Did You Learn? 21. The Messengers's Transformation 22. Changing the Organization by Speaking Up The Messenger's Tool Box-Basic Communication Skills-When You Are the Receiver of Tough News-When You Cannot Deliver Your Message in Person-Summary of Tips for Messengers

The book to read before you open your mouth. This survival manual relates the finer points of communicating bad news, voicing strong opinions and discussing difficult issues at the office without compromising your position...or your job. Filled with tips, illuminating stories, and a practical "tool box" of exercises, The Courageous Messenger gives you the means to assess the benefits, risks and motivations of communicating difficult messages. It helps you become a skilled messenger. And it teaches you how to speak with courage, clarity and -- most importantly -- diplomacy, whether you're addressing peers, bosses or employees.