Books by Annette Simmons

Safe Place for Dangerous Truths

In one recent survey, 93% of people admitted to lying regularly at work. Maybe they are scared of losing their jobs. Maybe they don't trust their colleagues or don't want to "rock the boat." Whatever the reason, this poisonous world of half-truths, strategic omissions, and doctored information is crippling organizations. To function optimally, companies must break through and get better information faster. They need to create an environment where people feel safe telling the truth - no matter how disturbing.

As Simmons says, "When people in a group improve their ability to talk to each other they spontaneously improve their ability to work together. When they learn how to discuss the undiscussable they learn how to solve the unsolvable."

Since most of us have gotten into trouble for telling the truth at one time or another "we too quickly conclude that telling the truth is a bad idea. We decide to stay beneath the radar and either end up bitter and resentful unexpectedly explode and cause a scene. We need a third alternative."

A Safe Place for Dangerous Truth: Using Dialogue to Overcome Fear and Distrust describes an alternative where a workgroup takes time out on a regular basis to a.) slow things down and b.) suspend the norms of "politeness and pretending" long enough so that people can tell the truth. Annette points out that in this world where "being busy is such a status symbol," we must carve out a time for refection and dialogue. "People looking for the 'right time' to discuss a dangerous truth never find it because the workplace never slows down enough for people to calmly deal with dangerous truths." This book describes an alternative that routinely introduces 'thinking time' back into the workplace.

Order the book from your local bookstore or though on-line bookstores like Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Safe Place for Dangerous Truths Endorsements
"Finally an organizational communication breakthrough for the info-millenium...a practical and flexible approach to achieve 'real' trust at the very foundation of our organizations. Simmons' methods transcend typical teamwork platitudes with an actual step-be-step model for unleashing powerful honest dialogue resulting in creative solutions at the deepest possible level."
David Finch, President/CEO, ATCOM Business Telephone Systems

"In this book, Annette Simmons deals with the "how-to" of dialogue (e.g. how man people, how often, how to get started) but the real contribution of this book is her own voice that rings through with stories and metaphors that help us see the significance of dialogue for our work lives."
Nancy M. Dixon, Associate Professor of Administrative Sciences, The George Washington University


"I have been a fan of Annette Simmons for some time now. I have had the privilege of experiencing her dialogue process, and felt it's power and efficacy both personally and within my organization. She is a rare and gifted teacher who both lives and practices what she writes about. Her new book is powerful, lucid, and engaging. She offers to all who have the courage to follow her writing a process which indeed creates a safe place for truth telling, as well as more elegant and graceful ways of living and learning."
Robert (Dusty) Staub, CEP Staub-Peterson, Inc. Author of The Heart of Leadership and The Seven Acts of Courage

International Translation Information

Chinese (contact/order through the agent):
Shanghai People's Publishing House
C/O Asia Pacific Management Institute
Attn: Cindy Xu
Fax: 86 21 6875 5859
E-ml: apmiss@public6.sta.net.cn

Japanese (contact/order through the agent):
Toppan
C/O The Asano Agency
Attn: Kiyoshi Asano
Fax: 81 3 3943 7637
E-ml: asano-ag@mx2.alpha-web.ne.jp

Spanish: McGraw-Hill Interamericana - Mexico
Attn: Susana Gil
Fax: 52 5 628 5303
E-ml: susy_gil@mcgraw-hill.com