Hi there and thanks for joining me to read my latest blog post!
Check out the links below that I shared last week on the powerful ideas clients will learn from
Week One: The Importance of Be Direct with Respect® in the Work Place
Week Two: Use Constructive Feedback to Get Necessary Results.
As you may know, I have created a premier program called Communication Skills at Work™ that helps people “own their own career.”
This week I would like to give you a preview of the third chapter of this program: Protecting Yourself When Others Push Your Hot Buttons.
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 Protect Yourself when Others Push Your Hot Buttons.
Learner Objectives for Week Three
- Master Verbal Aikido and understand the concepts behind it
- Regularly practice empathy and put yourself in the other person’s shoes
- Be accountable when things go wrong and avoid the need to explain or defend yourself
- Take risks and be confident when speaking up
- Learn how to respectfully say NO
What do you do when someone says something that pushes your button or is unkind?
Do you:
- Defend yourself?
- Become silent?
- Think about the perfect response on the way home?
- Say something you wished you hadn’t said?
Week Three will help you protect yourself and prepare your for the next time someone attacks you verbally.
Verbal Aikido is the Key
Verbal Aikido is like verbal martial arts. The winner pulls away and is the stronger one. Using Aikido helps you diplomatically deal with difficult people.
Here’s a classic story that illustrates this powerful strategy.
When Senator Robert Kennedy was selected to be Attorney General, he knew that the press was going to push him.A journalist asked, “Senator Kennedy, what gives you the right to be Attorney General of the United States?” Senator Kennedy responded by saying, “That’s a great question. You have to go to a good school, know a lot of people and have a brother who’s President of the United States.”
The press pulled back and laughed. Robert Kennedy was prepared. The idea is not to push back the person by getting defensive. Take a deep breath and think about how to respond in a positive way. You will be in the driver’s seat!
Week Three consists of several activities to give you the ability to say NO so you can set boundaries for yourself. I receive a lot of positive feedback on this strategy.
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. Please feel free to send your questions or comments to me. I love hearing from you!
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 Coach
Career Advancement is like riding a bike: Shift gears from coasting to owning the road!