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11 Great Ways to be Positive about Change
Change, as they say, is all around us. And if implemented badly, creates ill-will and a whole raft of negative beliefs about what it means to us. It can fill us with fear and worry. But there are positives you can get out of change. Here are eleven...
6 Winning Strategies Guaranteed To Improve Your Coaching Skills
Are you sure you're doing everything you can to be the best coach possible? Absolutely sure?
I've been a coach and I've had a lot of coaches. You know what I've found? Some coaches put all the pieces together and some just don't invest time...
Being Stressed Out May Not Be All That Bad
Being Stressed Out May Not Be All That Bad by Marilyn Manning, Ph.D. Stress is like measles - contagious. But unlike most cases of measles, stress can be deadly. So, what do we do about this all-too-common ailment of modern business? Learn to use...
Coaching Skills for Peers: Extending Influence
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Finding Your Niche
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The “SEVEN Cs”: Partnership Danger Signs - Communication Breakdown
An ongoing series of articles exploring the seven critical areas that can indicate a partnership is in trouble.
COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN
The "Seven Cs" are the danger signs that indicate your business partnership, or any partnership for that matter, is in trouble.
First, and most important, in my view, is the issue of Communication Breakdown.
Although my list of Seven C's refers to the danger signs that partnerships are in trouble, the fact is that communication breakdowns abound in all relationships. Sometimes they are serious leading to downward spiraling such as in business partnerships and marriages where the stats of breakup are astronomical. Other times they are simple miscommunications of lesser impact that don't negatively affect the relationship.
As an experienced listener, sometimes I smile when I happen to hear people answer the question they think they heard and be replied to as if they answered the question that was asked. A recipe for trouble. Then the conversation twists and turns and no one is the wiser (but me!).
What can you do to avoid these breakdowns?
First and foremost be committed to open listening. Honestly, you don't have to be right all the time. Others have worthwhile opinions too. Don't set yourself up to judge. Put your agenda aside. You can always embrace it later. Allow the possibility that you have something to learn from someone else. Often what happens is that you may reject the idea expressed but it triggers yet another idea and another. Before you know it you've both expanded your options and have created new and exciting possibilities. Or you have respectfully listened to each other's viewpoints and feelings or cleared the air about something which needed to occur before moving on to the business itself.
In partnerships there is an additional vital element
for good communication. That is a commitment to the relationship no matter what the disagreements. It goes without saying that trust is a given.
Now that you have the mindset, you can use the following techniques.
- Be open and honest with your declarations.
- Repeat back what you think you heard for clarification.
- Ask questions to be sure.
Did you mean...?
Are you saying....?
Did I make myself clear?
Can I/you say that another way?
Did I hurt your feelings?
Have I offended you?
That's a great idea!
Thank you for pointing that out.
I appreciate you saying that.
I never thought of it that way.
That's brilliant!
When communication is clear, you've taken the most important step to preserve your partnership and relationships.
Dorene Lehavi, Ph.D. is principal of Next Level Business and Professional Coaching. She coaches Professionals and Business Partners and teaches teleclasses on techniques to break through barriers to the next level. Dr. Lehavi offers a complimentary coaching session so you can experience how coaching can work for you. Contact Dr. Lehavi at Dorene@CoachingforYourNextLevel.com or on the web at Http://www.CoachingforYourNextLevel.com. Subscribe to Mastering Your Next Level monthly e-newsletter at http://www.coachingforyournextlevel.com/newsletter.html
dorene@nextlevelpartnership.com
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