A framework for challenging conversations

If you find challenging conversations, erm, challenging, this framework might help you – it’s one a client of mine uses to keep him on track. For a more in-depth look at how to tackle a challenging conversation read this blog I wrote earlier: https://www.businesschanging.com/how-to-have-the-talks-you-dont-want-to-but-need-to/ but this shorter framework might be just what you need to stop you from getting off track, losing focus or losing your rag… Let me know how it works for you! 

• Get in the right state
• Know your intent, your wanted outcome
• Connect: be human + have eye contact + be interested in how they are going
• Have clarity: focus on speaking clearly and simply. Don’t be vague and waffly
• Be curious: rather than telling someone, actually ask questions to get the bottom of it and be interested
• Seek agreement: does the person or people actually agree with you? Affirm – say, “OK, so we are agreeing…”
• Complete: finish the conversation and summarise ie “The next step is this or that” or “Let me know”. 
• Follow through on the agreement