Every time a person is stuck, there's a crucial conversation keeping him or her there. One's ability to handle controversial discussions determines how influential one is one's career and personal lives. Years of studying opinion leaders have taught people that the people who are most admired and listened to by their co-workers are masters of crucial conversations. Their ability to speak up and be heard and make it safe for others to do the same sets them apart from everyone else. The key to getting unstuck is to ask oneself, what are crucial conversations he or she was either not holding or not holding well? Crucial conversations require observable and learnable skills. One should talk about the real issue rather than diving into the heart of the issue.