Let me recap some important principles of having a courageous collegial conversation: ~ Always make sure the person you want to have a conversation with is ready to receive your communication before you launch into the details. Start with a opening sentence that has a purpose that includes the …
How To Stay Calm When Others Around You Are Losing Their Cool
Everyone I have met wants to know how to stay calm when others around them are losing their cool. Today I had a situation where I lost my composure. A colleague, George, made an off-the-cuff ‘joking’ comment to me, in front of others, that immediately triggered me into a reaction, because I …
Metacommunication
Why metacommunication is important When you approach another person for a conversation or a request it is important that you prepare your listener to receive your message. Metacommunication is the words you use to warm up your listener to the thing you want to communicate. It is a communication …
Communication Calmly and Reducing Defensiveness
Notice your reactive triggers Notice and become aware if you are triggered and reactive. It is important to know which part of your brain is doing the processing. We can only be in one part of our brain at a time. Take great care to notice which part of your brain is firing up. Reptilian …
Relationship and Content Messages
Every message has two levels When you communicate (verbal or written) there are always two messages: The relationship message and the content message Every message you send and receive has a content message and a relationship message – 100 per cent of the time. Every time you communicate …
Conflicting Interests
Conflict in the workplace is not uncommon, but it’s important to identify the source of conflict before making any interventions, says Cher Williscroft. Here she gives some practical advice on dealing with interpersonal work conflict.Click here to read the article …
Communication Question
What do I do when I get caught between two people who won’t talk to each other? My client found herself in a situation where a friend or colleague complained to her about someone who has upset them. For whatever reason, her colleague would not speak directly to the person who had offended or hurt …
Conflict Resolution Tips for 2018 Metacommunication
Good communicators take care to get their message across so it is received as it is intended by using a communication skill called metacommunication. As a result they have more influence and receive more cooperation. It is critical to metacommunicate when you want to successfully discuss something …
Conflict Resolution
When you communicate (verbal or written) there are always two messages: Every message you send and receive has a content message and a relationship message – 100 per cent of the time. Every time you communicate verbally or non-verbally you are sending a message about what you think about this …
Planning a Difficult Conversation
Set the scene. Think about the time and place and how you will involve the other person. Agree on an approach. Step One Purpose. Describe the outcome you want or your purpose in the conversation. Step Two Map the difference. Create a values map. Describe the problem as a …
To Understand Others
Tip 1: Understand the values that are operating in any situation. From our past experience we develop a set of ‘rules’ or values by which we live our lives. Values are derived from: social and cultural influences family values, traditions and history history – recent or distant …