Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Very practical book on the art of communication. Not my favorite but a decent resource to learn how to properly communicate.

I found this generally a very useful primer for diffocult conversations with my partner and teenagers. It contained a variety of strategies i had never considered before although these have not always been executed witj succeas!

I started this book but unfortunately I did not finish it. It had some good thoughts and ideas but again I put it down, got distracted, and didn't finish it.

The 7 strategies for having a more meaningful conversation are in the 7 chapters:

1. Call up your courage - to right a wrong, be bold, don't avoid tough subjects
2. Create a Container - to renew a relationship, talk about what's been lost/forgotten
3. Intend the Message You Send - talk about what you really want
4. Connect with Respect - voice your deepest desires and honor the other person
5. Speak your truth - say "hard truths"
6. Surrender your story - talking about possibilities
7. Find closure - make the conversation the tart of a new beginning

There are many exercises.

This book is 5-stars for those seeking conflict resolution strategies. It's great for dealing with employees or loved ones. Or enemies.

I'm a podcaster and I was hoping it would give me ideas on how to spark meaningful conversations with my guests. It didn't do much for that.

However, overall, it's a great book for most people's needs. Well organized.

If everyone read this book, opposing sides will learn to communicate and we would be happier and more at peace as a society as a whole.

The author begins by showing the reader how small changes make a difference how our tone sounds is as important as what we say and introduces the seven shifts. The shifts are further explored by the author and exercises to hone these skills are provided.

Not communicating in a meaningful way can cause additional issues. Sarah Rozenthuler states:

The fallout of a conversation poorly handled is very familiar to many of us. I’ve discovered in the cut-and-thrust of both the corporate and family life, it often seems easier in the short term to hide behind email or polite silence rather than call up our courage and talk. I’ve also learnt, however, that the risks of staying silent are often greater than the risks of speaking out. Resentments fester, distance grows, relationships fall apart.

The seven shifts upon which this book is based are call up your courage; create a container; intend the message you send; connect with respect; speak your truth; surrender your story; and find closure. Each is explained in detail.


I received an ARC from Watkins Publishing through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.

This book is a useful self help guide to conversing positively. Case scenarios and exercises provide constructive methods for the reader to engage in their personal and productive lives.

Fantastic self help book about how conversations are important to every relationship that we have. Really good read would highly suggest if you’d like to strengthen your relationships and build stronger conversations that are more meaningful.

I expected more of everyday conversations in this book, not just that big ones. But it is a good book anyway, and I'm sure a lot of people would benefit from it.

I might have found this book much more accessible had it been concise, and better structured, with a short summary of the key points at the end of each chapter. As it is, it was too easy to get lost in lengthy case studies: 'I got this client to complete the exercise on page X....' which in an e-book is impossible to find and entails flipping about from one end of the book to the other, and only contributes to the disjointed nature of the reading experience.

The lengthy style may make it an entertaining read for some, but the guidance just got lost among the welter of words.

Really enjoyed this insightful take on communication and building effective relationships. Helpful for both my professional and personal life, highly recommend!

This is definitely a resource that I will refer to when I have to have difficult conversations. The plan will be very helpful in ensuring that I achieve what is necessary from these conversations.

An interesting read with some practical advice. However, not quite what I was expecting. The preparation exercises were useful but still not sure how these help in practical, spur of the moment conversations.

The Art of Conversation

Conversation and sincere dialogue are essential even in this day of tweets and texts. Especially when dealing with those who are close to us, meaningful conversation is essential to true intimacy; it is also crucial to getting the most out of life both personally and professionally. I think that sometimes when we have the need for one of the great conversations that can cause a shift in life, we can have a lack of clarity within ourselves that is magnified when we attempt to communicate our wants, desires, and needs to another. This book gives you seven shifts or frameworks for the important conversations that we have with those who matter. The author has many examples to show what these mean and what effective and ineffective conversation looks like. She even has exercises at the end of the book that will help you increase your capacity for creating meaningful conversations, although some of them are simply helpful just to help you get clarity about your thoughts and your regular patterns of communication. If you've ever felt yourself at a loss for those significant conversations or they didn't turn out quite as you had hoped, this book can guide you on the path to more effective conversations.

Thank you Watkins and Netgalley for this ARC.

This is a fabulous book that every body can benefit from. It is a book I have dipped in and out of and will keep referring to. The author gives the reader the tools and, hopefully, the courage to have those deeply meaningful conversations with people we love, rather than holding back through fear, inadequacy or not believing you can.

A really important book, imagine how powerful it would be if everyone read this.

I found How to Have Meaningful Conversations a natural and common sense read. The author walks us through the meaning of language and conversation in a straightforward and relatable way.

The importance of communication and face to face conversations in everyday life is an often neglected but essential skill.

I already understood the message the author was sending, but It reminded me of discussions in the past when I missed opportunities or avoided subjects entirely, to the detriment of the relationship.

Just for heightening awareness of how vital conversation is this is an excellent self-help read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Watkins Publishing for a kindle version of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting but ultimately not quite what I was looking for in terms of the sort of conversations it’s dealing with. I’m sure I will find parallels with conversations that I will have, but I was mostly looking for advice about work place type conversations and this is much more relationships. And I’m not great with the sort of language used in this - it’s very American therapy speak which makes me come over all itchy.

I may not be the market for this sort of book!

This book doesn't look at day-to-day conversations, which was what I expecting from the title, but instead looks at those "Big Conversations" that can save or dissolve marriages, father daughter issues, resentments or get a promotion and how to prepare for them.

The book included too many anecdotes from the authors time in a Government office in the beginning, but mostly the book looked at it from some interesting, but long case-studies from clients she had seen for coaching.

I received this book from Netgalley in return for a honest review.

I thought this book would lead and guide me in a different way than it intended, therefore to be fair I gave it 5 stars. It has helpful information and I don’t want to dissuade anyone from reading this book. I was hoping more for a guide on helping encourage my kids to have deeper and more meaningful conversations in order to get them thinking and aware of more than book work and social news.

Thanks to NetGalley for this digital review copy.

I requested the book to review because I mentor gifted and talented young people, which involves many conversations.

I found the book interesting and easy to follow. Sadly a lot of it wasn’t useful for my work, but I did take away some good ideas.

If I was able to use this for work, then I would prefer a paper copy to make better use of the preparation exercises.

The comment that stuck was that we are taught to speak but not how to talk to each other,