Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition, 2nd Edition

SECOND, REFUSE THE FOOL’S CHOICE

Now, let’s add one more tool that helps us focus on what we really want. We’ll start with a story.

The faculty of Beaumont High School is hashing out possible curriculum changes in an after-school meeting that’s been going on for hours. It’s finally the science department’s turn to present.

Royce, a chemistry teacher who’s been at Beaumont for thirty-three years, considers himself the elder statesman of the school. He’s much fonder of war stories than he is of neutrons and electrons, but the administration kind of turns a blind eye because the guy’s a fixture.

At the principal’s cue, Royce clears his throat and begins to yammer on incoherently about the similarities between curriculum development and battle preparations. ...