Joseph Grenny
Joseph Grenny is a business author, speaker, and social scientist focused on communication, influence, leadership, and organizational change. He is the New York Times bestselling coauthor of Crucial Conversations, Crucial Accountability, and Influencer. His work is widely used in corporate training and leadership development to improve dialogue, accountability, and performance.
Biography & Author's Journey
Joseph Grenny’s work has long been shaped by an early discomfort with conflict and a later fascination with how people actually change. He has recalled being socially anxious growing up and, at 17, helping run a small computer store in 1977, where he froze when he saw a customer shoplift and escaped to the back room rather than confront him. Four years later, while building software for a major corporate restructuring, he discovered that even well-designed systems fail when people refuse to talk honestly about accountability. Those experiences pushed him toward organizational development. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Brigham Young University and moved through leadership roles that included California Computer Corporation and the Covey Leadership Center before becoming an entrepreneur in his own right. ((https://cruciallearning.com/blog/the-short-story-behind-crucial-conversations/))
Quotes
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Popular Books
Influencer
Joseph Grenny
Master the art of influence through six powerful sources to create lasting change in any personal or professional setting.
Crucial Conversations
Joseph Grenny; Kerry Patterson; Ron McMillan; Al Switzler; Emily Gregory
Master high-stakes communication with proven techniques for fostering open dialogue and achieving better outcomes in difficult situations.
Influencer
Joseph Grenny
Master the art of influence through six powerful sources to create lasting change in any personal or professional setting.
Crucial Conversations
Joseph Grenny; Kerry Patterson; Ron McMillan; Al Switzler; Emily Gregory
Master high-stakes communication with proven techniques for fostering open dialogue and achieving better outcomes in difficult situations.
Discover more
Master Communication, Influence & Negotiation
Master Communication, Influence & Negotiation
In today’s competitive landscape, technical skill alone is insufficient; true success requires the ability to move people and ideas. This plan is designed for aspiring leaders and professionals who need to master the art of persuasion and high-stakes negotiation to drive organizational impact.
Boost Productivity, Habits & Communication
Boost Productivity, Habits & Communication
In an era of constant distraction, mastering the intersection of behavior design and interpersonal influence is essential for professional growth. This plan is designed for aspiring leaders and professionals seeking to optimize their daily output while building the communication skills necessary for high-impact leadership.
Business, Psychology & Communication Skills
Business, Psychology & Communication Skills
In today's competitive landscape, technical expertise is insufficient without a deep understanding of human behavior and strategic communication. This learning plan is designed for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs who want to master the intersection of business logic and psychological influence.
Growth, Leadership, Science & Connection
Growth, Leadership, Science & Connection
This plan bridges the gap between behavioral neuroscience and practical leadership for professionals seeking an evidence-based approach to development. It is ideal for aspiring leaders and communicators who want to master the cognitive drivers of human behavior and organizational influence.
Conversation
Conversation
Effective communication is the cornerstone of professional success and personal fulfillment. This plan is designed for anyone looking to transform their social interactions from awkward exchanges into powerful opportunities for connection and influence.
Books for confident, authoritative speaking
Books for confident, authoritative speaking
Confident, authoritative communication is the cornerstone of professional success and social influence, yet many capable people are overlooked simply because they don't sound certain or commanding. This learning plan is designed for professionals, leaders, and anyone who wants to be taken seriously—whether you're navigating career advancement, leading teams, or simply want your ideas to carry weight in any room you enter.
Speak Confidently & Share Genius Ideas
Speak Confidently & Share Genius Ideas
Effective communication is the bridge between having a great idea and seeing it come to life. This plan is designed for professionals and aspiring leaders who want to master the art of persuasion and command any room with authority.
Communicate confidently and lead fearlessly
Communicate confidently and lead fearlessly
This plan is designed for aspiring leaders and professionals who struggle with self-doubt or high-pressure communication. It bridges the gap between technical skill and executive presence, making it essential for anyone looking to inspire others and lead with authentic authority.
Community Voices
"I have never heard so many words of praise for any speaker I have brought to this group as I have for Joseph Grenny"
— Child Health Corporation of America
"Joseph Grenny’s engaging style is a sought-after mix of entertainment, practicality and foundational research"
— Utah Business
"Joseph Grenny is a cofounder of VitalSmarts, one of the fastest-growing companies in America"
— Baylor University
"Joseph Grenny is an extremely engaging presenter with a compelling message of how to influence behavior"
— ASAE
"For social scientist, New York Times bestselling author and Church member, Joseph Grenny, helping others has become his career and a personal calling"
— Church News
"Keynote Speaker Joseph Grenny is a world-renowned social scientist, bestselling author, and leadership expert"
— A-Speakers
"Joseph Grenny is one of the most skilled presenters we have had at the City of Eugene"
— City of Eugene
"Joseph Grenny has gone to extraordinary lengths to lead with purpose and compassion"
— Derek Miller
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
