Is there a conversation you’ve been putting off? Is there a coworker or family member with whom you need to talk – but don’t? Maybe you’ve tried and it didn’t turn out as you had hoped. Or maybe you fear that talking will only make things worse. Whatever the reason, you feel stuck and you’d like to free up that energy for more useful purposes.
Communicating on Purpose
Last week I attended an excellent 2-day workshop called “Staying Grounded When on the Spot,” offered by the Public Conversations Project, in Watertown, MA. Geared to help facilitators and trainers manage challenging group moments, I found that the skills applied in a variety of settings, including one-on-one communication “hot spots.”
We Have to Talk: A Step-By-Step Checklist for Difficult Conversations
Think of a conversation youve been putting off. Got it? Great. Then lets go.
View from Another Planet: Learning to Talk to Our Children
Conflict within families can be the way to increased connection or separation. Your ability to manage your own reactions is a key ingredient.
Sticky Conversations
Confronting people is a part of doing business and a part of life. It’s not always fun, but sometimes necessary. With a little help and the right attitude, it can be done with grace and ease.
Workplace Conflict: FAQs – An Interview with Judy Ringer
Does conflict disrupt your workplace environment? Read on! Judy Ringer answers some commonly asked questions on the subjects of workplace conflict, difficult people, and how to manage them more effectively.
Practice Makes Perfect: Changing Your Communication Habits One Step At a Time
The concept of practice applies to any skill that you want to cultivate. If you take up a new musical instrument, you will need to practice a while before you’re ready to give your first concert. In Aikido, the martial art I study and teach, we get on the mat many times each week to practice and perfect our technique.
Be Curious And Be A Successful Communicator
There are many ways to improve the way you communicate. For example, you will always start things off on the right foot by opening the conversation in a way that creates mutual respect. Using phrases such as, “If you have a minute, I’d like to talk with you about something that I think will improve the way we work together,” helps set your conversation partner at ease. It tells him or her that you have positive intentions.