Introduction to Confrontational Conversations

When you are in a confrontational conversation be sure to remember the five golden rules.

  1. Iron clad statements and absolutes are not good ideas
    1. “I know
    2. Always
    3. Never
    4. Won’t
  2. Conditional statements are more effective
    1. In my judgement
    2. I think
    3. In my opinion
    4. It is my belief
    5. The rule/policy indicates
  3. Avoid the use of slang. Slang indicates a loss of control.
  4. Use clear, simple, reasonable directives.
    1. Stop
    2. You
    3. Here
    4. There
      1. Emphasize the directive with a firm gesture.
  5. Threats are counter productive
    1. Identify the offensive behavior that needs to stop.
    2. State the penalty
    3. Enforce the penalty no matter what

You may also give some thought to your personal presence. There are some fields of thought which indicate that for every 10 pounds a person is overweight their presence or stature is reduced 10%. So, if two persons were of equal height and one was 40 pounds overweight that person would present a 40% less commanding figure than the leaner of the two.

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