PPP 284 | How to Have Conversations With Even The Most Difficult People, with author Peter Boghossian

Check Out the 120VC Project Leadership Program (PLP)

This episode is sponsored by the 120VC Project Leadership Program, led by my friend J. Scott, founder of 120VC. You may recall my discussion with J back in episode 274 about his book The Irreverent Guide to Project Management.

There are so many things I appreciate about J, but one is his passion for the people side of our profession. 120VC has been driving large global transformational Projects successfully for the last 20 years for fortune 500 clients like Trader Joes, Sony Pictures, T-Mobile, & AT&T. J's Project Leadership Program is a practical 14-week virtual & instructor-led learning opportunity. It qualifies for 30 PDUs while teaching you techniques that get proven results.

J's next cohort starts up on April 22 and he's offering $200 USD off for listeners of the podcast. Register at 120vc.com/plp and use the coupon code People-0422. I highly recommend it!

Impossible Conversations

Globally, we're at a challenging time with the coronavirus pandemic still growing in most countries. Challenges like this can cause difficult conversations, where people can disagree vehemently on policy decisions at a national level—or on whether or not groceries should be sprayed down at the household level.

In my home country, it's an election year, which increasingly causes people to lose their minds when talking with people who think differently than them.

But beyond the current events of the day, let's face it.... If you lead projects and teams, there are difficult stakeholders. There are difficult bosses and clients, and in order for us to successfully move initiatives along, we need to find a way to make sure we have shared understanding and expectations, and we often need to find a way to get the buy-in of people who just aren't buying in!

I'm excited to introduce you to a remarkable person. Peter Boghossian is co-author of a new book entitled How to Have Impossible Conversations. It's a book about influence, conversations, and so much more, and I can't wait to share this discussion with you.

Follow Peter on Twitter at twitter.com/peterboghossian.

Related Episodes

If you would like additional ways to earn free PDUs while improving your influence and conversation skills, check out these episodes:

• Episode 282 with Jonah Berger about reducing roadblocks to influence
• Episode 276 with Buster Benson about productive disagreement
• Episode 268 with Oren Klaff about new approaches to influence
• Episode 195 with Celeste Headlee about having conversations with anyone
• Episode 194 with Tim David about how to get to Yes without manipulating
• Episode 157 with Dr. Robert Cialdini about influence and persuasion
• Episode 88 with Dan Pink about selling skills (non-salespeople)

Let's Stay In Touch!

I hear from listeners almost every day and I love it! How about you and I connect on LinkedIn? Go to https://PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/LinkedIn and send me an invite!

Also, all of our workshops and keynotes are available in a virtual format. Concerned about travel with the coronavirus pandemic? We can help you invest in your team without requireing travel. Learn more at https://i-leadonline.com/keynotes. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

Dawn Of The Apocalypse by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5627-dawn-of-the-apocalypse-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Upbeat Piano by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5444-upbeat-piano-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Difficult Conversations by Columbus
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xuUmps5PUQ