So much has happened since the release of our first edition of Dealing with the Tough Stuff. There was the cracking of bottles of champagne when we were at the top of booksellers' charts and the feeling of joy at seeing our title in various languages, but most of all our biggest thrill has been the responses from readers on email, social media or in person who have said this book has been a game changer. So our first thank you truly belongs to you: the reader. Much gratitude.

Darren wants to thank his two co-authors, Alison and Sean. Alison, you're a gift to this world. Anyone who knows you also knows what an understatement that is. It's been an amazing ride and we've got plenty of gas in the tank to go further. Richo, mate, can't wait to see you, Kate and the kids grow their roots and flourish, and the corporate world to be shifted by your quality of thinking. It's world class.

Alison wants to express her deep gratitude to her best friend and husband, Darren. Seeing the corporate world embrace your expertise and thinking, and being changed by your ability to tackle the toughest of tough stuff head-on is an inspiration. It's only the beginning too. Thanks also to our beautiful children, Patrick and Kate, with whom some of the strategies in this book have worked exceptionally well! You are our future! Sean, your passion to step up and bring your best to any project is awesome. Hanging with you makes anything seem possible.

Sean wants to thank Darren and Alison. I just dig the readiness of both of you to jump into big projects with the confidence of knowing we will get there somehow — your integrity and work ethic are nothing short of inspiring. Thank you, Darren, for being an extraordinary partner in business, inviting me to join you and Alison on ventures so dear to you, and for being such a great mate. Alison, I believe you are a quiet driver of much of our progress on this collaborative work, all while being an amazing mum. Thank you for being you. I also want to thank my team, Kate, Charlotte and Sam: your love and support make things easy and give my life meaning.

Together we would like to give special mentions — in no particular order — to Rowdy McLean, Matt Church, Michael Henderson, Emma Isaacs, Peter Baines, Ross Lyon, Joe Roberts, Anthony Day, Linda Taylor, Kirsty Mitchell and Jo Robertson. You've all been such a source of inspiration to us in so many ways. Richard Harmer, again for your integrity and contribution to the rough stuff, thanks mate. Thanks to Tricia, Randall and the team at Churchill Education for your ongoing support. Jason Fox and Kim Lam: you have no idea how much your creative living inspires us to continue to make great work. Of course, Jen and Dougz at Jaxzyn Design for your counsel on cover and graphics, a huge thanks. We'll never forget Sandra Butcher and Anna Morgan, our earliest champions, and we thank you for letting us loose on your organisations and laying the foundation of the Tough Stuff. Lucy Raymond, again, you're so damn lovely! Even when we are ridiculously slack in getting back to you, you still know how to give us a dressing down, and you are so lovely. It's a skill! Thank you also to the professional team at John Wiley & Sons, who have not only been a joy to work with but have been a wonderful help in making this book a reality, and a special thanks to Sandra Balonyi, our editor, who was a delight to work with.

To all of you who are at the forefront of the tough conversations at work, thank you for having the courage and desire to want to tackle these situations. The world needs your leadership and we admire you for what you step up and do every single day.