This book is not going to enable someone that struggles with starting conversations to magically become less afraid of that overnight, but it does provide strategies on how to discuss difficult topics and how to communicate in relationships about difficult subjects. I found this to be a great resource!

How to Have Meaningful Conversations is a wonderful and relatable self-help book that discusses why communication is such a huge part of how our lives unfold and how we feel connected (or not) with the people around us. Sarah Rozenthuler gives practical and relatable advice on how we can improve our ability to talk effectively with others at critical points in our lives and relationships.

Rozenthuler shares small shifts we can make in our dialogue with others than can have a big impact on not only how our communication comes across to others but also how we react to it. It is not always what we say but how we say it that can make a lasting impact, both positively or negatively.

Sharing what matters and what is important to you while also honoring the other person can feel so tricky for many people. These shifts can help navigate a path towards filling both of these buckets and help you deepen your awareness and move forward while also finding closure when necessary. The real-life examples throughout the book were a great addition to her message and helped these topics really resonate.

Thank you to NetGalley and Watkins Publishing for a copy of these book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very interesting book. I thought the information presented was well laid out and flowed well. I really enjoyed reading it and want to try and start implementing some of what I read.

I thought the first part of this book had a lot of good points, but as the author got into her version of 'auras' and other mystical-esque ways of talking about conversation, it just became more than a little strange. If the author were to focus more on the linguistical and psychological science, I think this book would be 5 stars worthy.

An interesting book full of useful hints and advice. I'm sure I will try some of them.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

This book doesn't discuss day-to-day conversations, what I was expecting, but the Big Conversations (used by Sarah throughout the book) - those chats where the outcomes can save marriages, get that promotion, or start a new way of life. The book started slow, a few too many anecdotes from Sarah's past, but once it kicked into gear there are some interesting themes, all clearly explained with case-studies. An interesting read, a good 4*!

Really good book and taught me ALOT! Has given me confidence in my everyday life to be more assertive! I will deffo recommend this to friends and family! Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this cracker!

I find it difficult to express my feelings in some situations and would rather stay quiet for fear of rocking the boat and making things worse. This book has given me the skills to overcome this and actually have those conversations that I have been avoiding. This well written, practical book includes exercises and stories to inspire you. I recommend this book, it’s such a useful tool, I wish I had found it sooner. Thank you #netgalley

Sarah Rozenthuler is a psychologist, a leadership consultant, and dialogue coach, writing this book that is essentially on how to effectively communicate and focusing on conversations, and improving the reader's abilities to be more able to lead the life they want, both personally and professionally. Many people often shy away from essential conversations, often feeling intimidated or just wanting to avoid unpleasantness, or just ill equipped, leaving them mired in scenarios that make their lives miserable and doomed to never move on until they address the situation. This book is aimed at these people, and those who are just looking to improve their conversational skills even further. Rozenthuler provides examples from her personal journey, how she learnt valuable life lessons, how she met her ambitions and achieved the career progression moves that she so desired. She includes stories from other people that illustrate her points.

Rozenthuler sets much store in her seven shifts that allow for meaningful conversations to take place, the need to pay heed to the concept that it is not what you say, but how you say it that makes such a difference. This includes the requisite courage needed to begin to have that difficult and awkward conversation, having the clear sight required to get what you have to say with clarity, the need for respect, and learning to speak your truth from your perspective. It is important to use the right words, to prioritise, and to ask questions and not merely convey opinions. This is a book that offers the opportunity to pick up critical conversational skills and develop the confidence to be more able to handle your life and the multiple situations you might find yourself in, after all, conversations are an everyday fact of life that you can use to your benefit.

To be honest, I was not so appreciative of the author's personal life story points she used to illustrate her book aims, but that is probably just me, I would have preferred a greater straightforward focus on the practical advice, tips and guidance. However, I do feel this is a book that is likely to be appreciated by a wide audience looking to improve their conversations and consequently their lives. Many thanks to Watkins Publishing for an ARC.

We transform through conversation asserts Sarah Rozenthuler, a leadership consultant and dialogue coach. Each thoughtful chapter in How to Have Meaningful Conversations: 7 Strategies for Talking About What Matters, offers helpful suggestions to transform our relationships and our life’s circumstances with meaningful shifts in the way we approach our conversation with others and ourselves. The shifts are practical, pragmatic and powerful. Four stars.

A quick read with lots of tips on how to have more meaningful conversations. The author shares her own experiences and stories of others which is nice to read and helpful if you want to implement her seven shifts and exercises. I do think anyone can benefit from reading this book. Thank you to Netgalley and Watkins Publishing for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

A very easy to read relatable self-help book with scenarios that will resonate with every reader. One to dip in and out of.