Overcoming Fake Talk

John Stoker's central argument — that most workplace conversations are performative rather than real — is one that resonates immediately with anyone who has sat through a meeting that changed nothing. The four REAL skills framework is practical rather than abstract, and endorsements from Dave Ulrich and John Zenger represent some of the most credible names in organizational development. It's aimed squarely at professionals, so readers hoping to apply it at home may find the framing a bit narrow.