Whether in a relationship or at work, when an emotional crisis or a
problem situation flares up between two people, it's often difficult
to know how to approach each other in a way that results in an ideal
outcome.
In Dr. Debra's booklet,
“54
Tips for Getting What You Want from a Difficult Conversation”,
she takes you step-by-step through preparing for the situation,
setting up the conversation, handling the conversation in a calm,
productive manner, what to do if the discussion becomes heated, and
how to successfully resolve the problem.
Reading Dr. Debra's booklet will help you:
Feel
more prepared for the difficult confrontation with your friend,
family member, co-worker, or boss. You will know exactly what to
say and do.
Feel
more confident about approaching the difficult person. When you
know how you will handle the situation--what you will say and
do--you will have more self-assurance and less fear. In addition
to making you feel better, this will make the other person respect
you more.
Be
able to prevent or minimize a negative response from the difficult
person.
Be
more likely to obtain a successful conclusion to your difficult
conversation.
Three tips from Dr. Debra's booklet:
#7. Anticipate the other person's reaction. Think of the first
thing they might say in their own defense. If you know what they
might say or do, you can prepare a response.
#17. State any concerns you have about the conversation. This
alerts them to watch for certain behaviors. For example: "I'm afraid
you're going to criticize my feelings instead of trying to
understand them."
#35. Show your willingness to leave the conversation if it
becomes heated. Don't get caught up in an argument. You have the
power to keep the discussion from spiraling out of control.
The booklet form allows you to keep the information handy in a
purse, briefcase, or desk drawer for easy access for those
unexpected times when you need to review the material. The 8 1/2 by
3 1/2 size fits perfectly into a standard envelope for mailing
copies to your friends or customers.
“54 Tips for Getting What You Want from a Difficult Conversation”
