Each book we write reminds us of the large debt of gratitude we owe to so many.
Our first heartfelt thanks goes to
Our families, whose support and love has been unwavering
Our colleagues at VitalSmarts and ChangeAnything.com for committed, brilliant contributions in helping us achieve our mission
Our associates, master trainers, and international partners, who so professionally represent VitalSmarts to clients around the world
The dedicated trainers who deliver Crucial Conversations, Crucial Confrontations, and Influencer training with both skill and heart
The selfless individuals who have helped with our research—through surveys, interviews, and experiments at the Change Anything Labs
The brilliant scholars whose work points the way to better lives for all of us.
We’d also like to personally thank
Mindy Waite, our chief editor and secret literary weapon at VitalSmarts
Margaret Maxfield and T.P. Lim, early readers who shared insightful feedback
Rick Wolff, our executive editor, and now colleague, at Business Plus
Kevin Small—“agent” is too small a word; a man with a great soul and keen mind for making a difference in the world
Andy Shimberg, Mary McChesney, Brittney Maxfield, Mike Carter, James Allred, and Rich Rusick—colleagues at VitalSmarts who, after the writing is done, lead the charge in taking the book to the world.
If this book does some good in the world, we hope these individuals feel a measure of satisfaction from knowing that they were instrumental in all of it.