Do We Say It or Dance Around It?
It often seems we have two choices. We can dance around each other, never addressing what’s bugging us but fomenting stories about injustices made and …
conversation
What To Do When Conversations Stop Being Productive
We want to converse plainly, honestly, and respectfully. We want the others to say what’s on their mind. We want them to give us the …
Staying Loose in Conversations
Thinking about an important conversation before it happens can be a smart way to ensure things go well. Anticipating and trying to prevent everything that might go …
How Not to Worry About an Upcoming Important Conversation
We can waste a lot of energy worrying about how we will do in an upcoming important conversation (interview, confrontation, pitch, etc.). This happens whenever …
How Not to Avoid Tough Conversations
Tough conversations are tough because they feel bad. Long before we might actually conduct a tough conversation, we anticipate the possibility of it going poorly. We see that …
The Four Steps to Lead, Influence, and Sell Naturally
Whenever we encounter resistance as we seek to lead (with or without title), influence, or sell, it’s probably because we are doing it wrong. We …
Better Interviews
The usual way to think of a job interview is as some sort of a test. The interviewee, wanting to be judged worthy, studies and …
Handle Any Difficult Conversation
We regularly stumble upon difficult conversations–those normally involving the emotions of other people–both at work and at home. Though we’d much rather ignore, work around, …
I See You
People know how you feel about them. Even if you try to hide it. They can feel whether you respect and trust them or are …
How to Handle a Stalled Conversation, Negotiation, or Sale
A stalled conversation, negotiation, or sale happens when one or more parties feels unsafe, like they might lose out. Defensiveness and resistance increase. Logjam. When …