Why Are We Yelling? Book Summary

In 'Why Are We Yelling?', Buster Benson explores the anatomy of arguments and the hidden reasons behind our tendency to escalate conflict. With wit and insight, he dissects the psychology of shouting matches, revealing how they stem from a longing to connect rather than a desire to destroy. The book offers intriguing strategies for transforming heated discussions into constructive conversations. Readers will discover the power of listening as a tool to diffuse tension and foster understanding. Ultimately, Benson challenges us to rethink our approach to disagreement, making this a must-read for anyone eager to improve their communication skills.

By Buster Benson

Published: 2019

""In the cacophony of voices demanding to be heard, it is not the volume that commands respect, but the clarity of thought and the willingness to understand.""

Book Review of Why Are We Yelling?

Have you ever walked away from an argument and suddenly thought of all the brilliant things you wish you'd said? Do you avoid certain family members and colleagues because of bitter, festering tension that you can't figure out how to address? Now, finally, there's a solution: a new framework that frees you from the trap of unproductive conflict and pointless arguing forever. If the threat of raised voices, emotional outbursts, and public discord makes you want to hide under the conference room table, you're not alone. Conflict, or the fear of it, can be exhausting. But as this powerful book argues, conflict doesn't have to be unpleasant. In fact, properly channeled, conflict can be the most valuable tool we have at our disposal for deepening relationships, solving problems, and coming up with new ideas. As the mastermind behind some of the highest-performing teams at Amazon, Twitter, and Slack, Buster Benson spent decades facilitating hard conversations in stressful environments. In this book, Buster reveals the psychological underpinnings of awkward, unproductive conflict and the critical habits anyone can learn to avoid it. Armed with a deeper understanding of how arguments, you'll be able to: Remain confident when you're put on the spot Diffuse tense moments with a few strategic questions Facilitate creative solutions even when your team has radically different perspectives Why Are We Yelling will shatter your assumptions about what makes arguments productive. You'll find yourself having fewer repetitive, predictable fights once you're empowered to identify your biases, listen with an open mind, and communicate well.

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"In the cacophony of voices demanding to be heard, it is not the volume that commands respect, but the clarity of thought and the willingness to understand."

Why Are We Yelling?

By Buster Benson