ARGUMENTH O W T O A V O I D Y O U R N E X T

What Situation Are You In?

Scenario 1 The Tangle

‘Don't forget dinnertonight.’

‘Tonight?! We said tomorrow!’

Where crossed wires lead to uncertainty, uncoordinated action and frustrated expectations. How often do you shake your head in

bewilderment and wonder how on earth a mix-up occurred? Learn how to adapt your style of communication, set the context for the conversa-tion and check for clarity to prevent misunderstandings and confusion.

Where crossed wires lead to uncertainty, uncoordinated action and frustrated expectations. How often do you shake your head in

bewilderment and wonder how on earth a mix-up occurred? Learn how to adapt your style of communication, set the context for the conversa-tion and check for clarity to prevent misunderstandings and confusion.

Scenario 2 THE Big argument

‘You’re tight with money.’

‘And you’rehysterical.’

This is where a convivial start has spiralled out of control and into a bitter row with a partner, family member, work colleague, neighbour or anyone else you’d had no intention of falling out with. By recogniz-ing the Warning Lights that tell you a conversation is going off track,

you can bring it back to ground level.

This is where a convivial start has spiralled out of control and into a bitter row with a partner, family member, work colleague, neighbour or anyone else you’d had no intention of falling out with. By recogniz-ing the Warning Lights that tell you a conversation is going off track,

you can bring it back to ground level.

Scenario 3 The Bad Place

‘That conversation was a disaster.’

‘Where did it allgo wrong?’

Where a conversation with someone has gone horribly wrong and you’re in the mire. Or where you simply feel disconnected and fed up with someone and you are wondering how you're going to address the

issue or recover the situation. By understanding the dynamics of difficult conversations, and knowing practical steps to tackle them,

you’ll get into the Bad Place less often and get out of it more quickly.

Where a conversation with someone has gone horribly wrong and you’re in the mire. Or where you simply feel disconnected and fed up with someone and you are wondering how you're going to address the

issue or recover the situation. By understanding the dynamics of difficult conversations, and knowing practical steps to tackle them,

you’ll get into the Bad Place less often and get out of it more quickly.

Scenario 4 The LockDown

‘Can we talkit through?’

‘I don’t ever wantto discuss it again.’

Where feelings and thoughts are internalized or withheld and negative conclusions are drawn, leading to an implosion rather than to the

explosion of the Big Argument. If someone’s in the Lockdown, they’ll withdraw and won't want to talk, even though it’s obvious that they’re

deeply upset. Asking open questions, putting your own story on hold and listening without justification can help you re-establish your connection.

Blamestorming The ultimate guide to mastering conversationat work and at home

wa t k i n s p u bl i s h i n g. c o. u k