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8 Resolutions for Difficult Interpersonal Conversations
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Communication and Skills

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Best Practices
36
Jaap de Jonge
Editor, Netherlands

8 Resolutions for Difficult Interpersonal Conversations

Sometimes a conversation (at work) can be awkward, difficult or not effective, despite of good intentions.

Monique Valcour describes 8 practical techniques you can apply to get a difficult interpersonal conversation "back on track":
  1. SHIFT THE RELATIONSHIP from opposition to partnership.
    Place yourself in the other person's shoes.
  2. REFRAME YOUR PURPOSE from convincing to learning.
    Don't focus on making the other person adopt your view.
  3. VERBALIZE YOUR INTENTION.
    Tell explicitly what you are trying to achieve with the conversation.
  4. AVOID ASSUMPTIONS.
    Especially about what the other person is "probably" thinking.
  5. ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR PART.
    Admit you make/made mistakes too.
  6. LEARN YOUR ABCD'S.
    Avoid Blame, Contempt, Defensiveness and Stonewalling.
  7. Examine difficult issues with OPENNESS AND CURIOSITY.
  8. SEEK INPUT to problem-solving.
    Ask for feedback.
⇒ In what way do you turn a problematic conversation into a more positive one? Thanks for sharing your experiences and tips...

Source: Monique Valcour, "Eight Ways to get a Difficult Conversation Back on Track", HBR Fall 2018, pp.14-15.
 

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top
More on Communication and Skills:
Methods, Models and Theories
Discussion Topics
topic 25 Common Presentation Mistakes and Tips
topic Understanding Perceptions of Other People and Yourself
topic How to Disagree with a Superior: Recommendations
topic What are the Skills a Management Consultant Should Have?
topic Communicating Effectively
topic Communication Channels: What is Grapevine Communication? Definition and Importance
👀8 Resolutions for Difficult Interpersonal Conversations
topic How to Give a Powerful 5-Minute Presentation
topic 10 Tips and Ethics for Attending Business Meetings
topic Types of Communication
🔥 Communication Apprehension, Fear of Presenting, Presentation Anxiety
topic The Impact of Culture on Communication
topic Tips for Questioning: Asking Questions and Responding to Them
topic Communication in Management
topic Morgan's 4 Underlying Intents (Aims) to Become an Authentic Speaker
topic Problems with Communication in Other Language
topic Not Invited... Should you Attend a Meeting?
topic How to Manage (Insidious) Insubordination?
topic How to Organize a Meeting? Best Practices
topic Role of Communication in New Companies
topic Managing a Personal Dispute at Work
topic ABC of Good Communication
topic The Impact of Gender on Communication Styles
topic Interaction versus Communication
topic Morals and Communication
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