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Hi there and thanks for joining me to read my latest blog post about Communication Skills at Work™!
Last time, I shared some of the powerful ideas from Week One: “The Importance of Be Direct with Respect® in the Work Place.” As you hopefully know, I have created a premier program called Communication Skills at Work that is designed for anyone on the corporate ladder and addresses issues as peer bullying, standing up to upper management, career advancement and conflict resolution.
This week I’ll give you a preview of the second chapter of the program: Use Constructive Feedback to Get Necessary Results.
In addition to the program manual and self-study guide, I offer full phone coaching depending on your budget and time frame. Read more here for all the details.
Now, let’s dive in and talk about why it’s so important to Use Constructive Feedback to Get Necessary Results and how it can help you move ahead.
Learner Objectives to Use Feedback for Necessary Results
- Learn to comfortably provide constructive feedback to peers or to those you manage
- Thoughtfully accept constructive feedback and suspend defensive reaction even when it’s not delivered in the way you would prefer to receive it
- Speak up when an issue is important to you
- Take responsibility for your own behavior
Constructive Feedback Consists of the Following:
- Is stated in specific terms instead of vague, general ones
- Is directed at behavior – rather than personalities
- Is an observation of events, rather than labels or emotional judgment
- Focuses on a coaching style instead of put-downs
Here’s an example to help you understand the language of constructive feedback:
“What specifically did I do that made you feel picked on? Let’s talk about how this happened and look at ways to deal with it.”
What to Do When Others Get Defensive?
It doesn’t help to tell others not to be defensive, but rather accept people’s defensiveness.
And after hearing the defensive communication, bring the discussion back to the issue. For example:
Sue: “When will the project I gave you be finished?”
Ed: “I’ve been too busy to get it done when I said I would.”
Sue: “I realize you’ve been busy. I need to have that project completed by Tuesday. What help do you need to make that deadline?”
The Power Talk Formula – Be Direct with Respect®
Be Direct with Respect is a learned skill, a willingness to risk rejection by communicating directly, yet gently. It deepens relationships and resolves issues. Clients adhere to this particular strategy immediately because it’s easy to use and they get excellent results – especially during tough conversations.
The power talk formula is:
I am ____________________________________ (your emotional response)
When I _________________________________(non-judgmental)
Because________________________________(how it affects you)
For example: “I am frustrated when I call and no one gets back to me because my department is counting on me to finish this project on time.”
People who take the course use their own case scenarios and we practice together until they feel confident to use this valuable strategy on their own. I am here 24/7 via email. This coach is dedicated to each client’s success! 😊
Thanks again for taking the time to read my blog. I love receiving questions and comments, so please don’t hesitate to contact me or leave a comment!
And again, if Communication Skills at Work sounds like something that could help you or your company, check out this link for more information or contact me here.
Until next time,
Joyce Weiss
Corporate Communication Strategist and Career CoachReducing conflict is like riding a bike: Shift gears to successfully navigate life’s potholes, ruts, and obstacles.