Working as One: Fundamental Conversations that Build Cooperation & get Results

by: Christine C. Williams, PhD

Published by: Brown Books Publishing Group

Reviewed by Muhammed Hassanali

We communicate every day, all the time. A lot of our communication is informational exchange that is required to properly function as a group. Where we do not spend enough time (either as a family or as a business unit) is articulating what is important to us as a group. This is where Working as One comes in. While the main focus of the book is the business environment, the same concepts can be applied to our personal lives as well.

After a brief introduction, Williams starts by trying to answer what are the implications of our conversations (the ones that transcend mere informational exchange). She says that it is to set specific outcomes, to provide a forum for exchanging ideas (assuming that the objective is not “win-lose” but “win-win”), and to follow up through appropriate behaviors and actions.

While Williams does not purport to articulate our values, goals or mission, she does provide a framework for readers to articulate them. Each section starts with a few (generally three) questions that are relevant to articulating what is important. The first few paragraphs focus on why this conversation is important, and the rest of the section presents case studies of its relevance.

In the last part of the book, Williams provides “how to” guidelines for having these conversations. This chapter outlines phases of a conversation, guidelines for these conversations, and skills to help readers with meaningful communication. The book’s progression is from articulating an ideal, exploring that ideal, and providing guidelines for implementing that ideal in real situations. Hence those readers whose learning style is to go from theory to application will appreciate the layout of this book.

This book has only three chapters, and sometimes it seemed that I was reading a long chapter. Perhaps dividing the book into three sections with each section containing short chapters (the sub-headings provided) would have enhanced my reading experience. It would also provide more “white-space” for jotting notes (something that I would appreciate). Williams writing style is fluid and down to earth. She conveys complex information in a style makes it easy to understand and hence relate to.

Armchair Interviewer says: This book can be read in a couple of hours, but the wealth of knowledge will stay a lifetime.