Kerry Patterson, born in 1946, writes self-help nonfiction on handling tough conversations at work and at home. Patterson's books include Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, written with Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan and Al Switzler, and Influencer: The Power to Change Anything, which adds David Maxfield to that group. Both offer practical methods for discussions where opinions clash and emotions run high.
