Kerry Patterson is a prolific writer, researcher, and organizational performance expert. He co-founded VitalSmarts, an innovator in corporate training that has worked with over 300 Fortune 500 companies. Patterson has co-authored several New York Times bestsellers, including "Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High" and "Influencer: The Power to Change Anything". With a background in teaching at Brigham Young University's Marriott School of Management, Patterson brings academic rigor to his work in organizational behavior. He holds a doctoral degree from Stanford University and has received accolades such as the Mentor of the Year Award and the William G. Dyer Distinguished Alumni Award from BYU. Patterson's expertise lies in developing strategies for effective communication and behavior change in high-stakes situations. When not writing or consulting, he continues to contribute to the field of organizational performance through research and speaking engagements.