Joyce Weiss

I work with organizations and individuals who want to kick conflict and chaos to the curb - Queen of Conflict Resolution and Communication Coach

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Navigate Tricky Situations at Work with Confidence Video 1

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Are you Ready to Learn New Ways to Navigate Tricky Situations at Work?

Picture this: you’re about to leave the office, eagerly anticipating a personal commitment—perhaps childcare duties, supporting aging parents, or an eagerly awaited date night with your partner. Just as you’re getting ready to step out the door, you’re asked to stay late at work. We’ve all faced a dilemma at some point: handling such a situation without compromising your professionalism or personal responsibilities.

In this blog post, we’ll explore a powerful response strategy to gracefully manage these tricky work-life scenarios, a tactic frequently honed by coaching clients during group facilitation or one-on-one coaching sessions.

The Power Response: Confidently Navigate Tricky Situations at Work 

Imagine this scenario: you’re approached with a last-minute request to stay late, and your commitment looms large. Your response doesn’t need a convoluted explanation, a cascade of apologies, or a guilty plea. Instead, it can be as straightforward as this: “I made another commitment long before this meeting was scheduled. The first thing I’ll do tomorrow is to find out what was discussed, and I’ll take care of what needs to be done.”

This simple yet assertive response conveys your dedication to your professional responsibilities while honoring your pre-existing personal commitment. It’s a testament to your commitment to handling your part of the project promptly and effectively without compromising either side.

Joyce’s Final Thoughts on How to Navigate Tricky Situations at Work

In the intricate dance of balancing personal and professional commitments, it’s essential to have assertive responses at your disposal. By employing this straightforward strategy, you can navigate tricky workplace situations with confidence and poise. You don’t have to apologize excessively, make elaborate excuses, or carry the weight of guilt on your shoulders. Instead, you can stand your ground, maintain professionalism, and meet your personal commitments.

Stay Connected with Joyce

If you are grappling with similar workplace challenges or have questions about navigating tricky situations, please get in touch with me at Joyce@JoyceWeiss.com. Together, we’ll help you confidently “Kick Conflict to the Curb™” and strike that delicate work-life balance. We can set up a “Jam with Joyce” 20-minute session on Zoom. I enjoy having these meetings with growth-minded people who are constantly growing. 

Let me know what other Tricky Work situations you are dealing with so I can write a new post about it! This is a new series that I’m writing for my loyal readers. 🙂

Who is Joyce Weiss?

Joyce is the Queen of Conflict Resolution and works with Department Managers and their direct reports, Growth-Minded Individuals, and small groups tired of feeling invisible or overlooked and ready to confidently use their voice – without losing their cool. The result is their input and contribution are recognized and respected. And their expertise is in constant demand. 

Until Next Time,

Joyce Weiss, M.A., CSP, CVP
Communication Coach

And remember, You get what YOU tolerate!

P.S. If you want to discover two strategies to use during difficult conversations, click this link. There’s a video and content on how you can Kick Conflict to the Curb™!

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Resolve Conflicts: The One Question That Changes Everything

In your continuous efforts to maintain an atmosphere of cooperation and respect, how you resolve conflicts efficiently has been paramount. It’s intriguing how a single well-phrased question can often uncover the heart of the matter, leading to easy resolutions. 

Are you ready to explore this question and how it can help you as a Department Manager or Leader to de-escalate conflicts with your direct reports or even for you?

A Powerful Question that Changed the Way I Resolve Conflicts

A Department Manager invited me to speak to her department about Kicking Conflict to the Curb™. I interviewed a few people before the program to customize the session. They shared solid information on what they wanted to learn.

The opening story was one that I shared during numerous facilitation programs.  Audiences related to it and usually reacted with either smiles or quiet laughter.  Not this time. No one reacted!

A few minutes later, I asked them to divide into groups of 3 to discuss case scenarios that their peers shared in the pre-interviews. No one stood up, and they just stared at me.

Yikes! What was going on? Self-doubt started creeping into my mind. What was I doing wrong? The session ended, and I approached my client to discuss the program. She smiled and said, “Joyce, your content was great. I forgot to tell you that they had a two-hour cocktail party before your session.”

This was the beginning of my transition from a keynote speaker to a group facilitator. I learned a huge lesson from that experience.

The question that I learned was – What Don’t I Know?  This one question could have changed the entire training if I assertively asked the group, “What don’t I know?” They would have told me that they needed a nap. 😉 It had nothing to do with the content or my skills. 

The Power of What Don’t I Know to Resolve Conflicts

Think about your own conflicts and how you could use “What Don’t I Know” to stop assumptions or conflict from escalating even more. This one question gives you information that you probably didn’t think about.

It’s intriguing how a single well-phrased question can often uncover the heart of the matter, leading to resolutions that were once elusive. 

The great news is that I’ve learned how to stop any process that isn’t going well and ask, “What don’t I know?” Believe me; it has been a lifesaver during training and even with my family! 🙂

Clients discover numerous questions to ask, so they resolve conflicts and drama with their teams. They work like a charm when we add them to our toolbox and implement them.

Do you want to discover how your direct reports feel about communication in your organization? I will send you a survey to use with your team to keep them engaged. 

How do you know if this is for you? This is for you if you want to engage others to speak openly. Plus, you find the answers to “What don’t I know?” 

Reply to this mail and write “What don’t I know” in the subject line so you can Kick Conflict to the Curb™!

Who is Joyce Weiss?

Joyce is the Queen of Conflict Resolution and works with HR Pros or with their company’s growth-minded individuals directly. Who are tired of feeling invisible and overlooked. And are ready to confidently use their voice – without losing their cool.

They transform from no longer feeling invisible to having their input recognized and respected.

Joyce’s magic sauce in engaging participation is that she combines her 30 years as a storyteller, coach, and facilitator.

 

Reply to this email and write “What don’t I know?” in the subject line to receive your Survey to Help Your Team Feel Included.

 

Have a GREAT Week!
And Remember, You Get What YOU Tolerate! 

Joyce Weiss, M.A., CSP, CVP
Communication Coach and Queen of Conflict Resolution

 

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Secrets to Stop Taking Things Personally During Conflict |Video

  • Do you need a reminder about not taking things personally when someone pushes back?
  • Is it time to have a  difficult conversation with your boss?
  • Are you ready to use your voice even if you fear the consequences?

If so, you are in the right place!

Laneshia Collier, Human Resource Professional, was a guest on my show, Kick Conflict to the Curb™. She spoke about a difficult conversation that she had with her boss. She knew it was necessary to take this risk so both could move forward.

Laneshia discovered that her manager didn’t know what she was responsible for in the company. He didn’t notice the positive changes that Laneshia and her team made for the company. And she knew that she needed to educate her boss. 😉 The team felt ignored and underappreciated.  It was worth the risk of retaliation – which didn’t happen. The result is that her manager listened and appreciated the feedback.

It takes courage to speak up and address tough issues, but it’s better than letting resentment build up. Remember, honest communication is key in any relationship, even in the workplace.

Not taking things personally is a skill that takes constant practice – reminding yourself that it usually has NOTHING to do with you!

We all Have to Engage in Difficult Conversations in Our Life

Whether with a friend, family member, or colleague at work, these conversations can be uncomfortable and even painful. However, one of the most important things to remember during these conversations is not to take things personally.

When we engage in difficult conversations, it’s natural for emotions to run high. We may feel hurt, angry, or frustrated; taking these emotions personally is easy. However, when we take things personally, we may react in ways that are not productive or even harmful.

How to Avoid Taking Things Personally

  1. Practice active listening: One of the best ways to avoid taking things personally is to practice active listening. This means truly listening to the other person’s words without interrupting or getting defensive. When we actively listen, we can gain a better understanding of the other person’s perspective and respond in a more constructive way.

  2. Remember that it’s not about you: When someone is upset or angry, it’s easy to assume it’s because of something we did. However, it’s important to remember that the other person’s emotions are not necessarily about us. They may be dealing with their own personal issues or frustrations.

  3. Stay calm and focused: When emotions run high, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and react emotionally. However, it’s important to stay calm and focused during difficult conversations. Take a deep breath, count to ten, and stay centered.

  4. Separate facts from opinions: During difficult conversations, separating facts from opinions is important. When we focus on the facts, we can have a more productive conversation and avoid taking things personally. Ask questions to clarify any misunderstandings and try to stay objective.

Difficult conversations are a part of life and don’t have to be destructive. By practicing active listening, remembering that it’s not about you, staying calm and focused, and separating facts from opinions, you can have a more productive and positive conversation. Remember, difficult conversations can lead to growth and understanding, so don’t be afraid to engage in them.

Let’s Stay Connected

Please comment about this week’s post. How does it resonate with you?
You can share in the comment section or send me an email HERE

Are you ready to disrupt your status quo?
Discover what it costs you when you don’t know how to resolve conflict.
Money? Relationships? Inner Peace?

Who is Joyce Weiss?

Joyce is the Queen of Conflict Resolution and works with Department Managers and Leaders and Growth-Minded Individuals tired of feeling invisible or overlooked and ready to confidently use their voice – without losing their cool. The result is their input and contribution are recognized and respected. And their expertise is in constant demand. 

Are you ready to confidently use your voice without losing your cool? Visit www.KickConflicttotheCurb.com and grab your copy of the communication assessment.

You will discover how your communication impacts your success at work.

I’m confident you will thank me later!

You want this because you’ll: 

  • Have increased self-confidence because you no longer dread difficult conversations.
  • Experience more enjoyment at work because the drama has been eliminated.
  • No longer feel invisible; instead, your input is recognized and respected.

If this is something that you want, all you have to do is go to www.KickConflicttotheCurb.com

If you already took the Kick Conflict to the Curb Assessment and are ready for the next level of support, email me at Joyce@JoyceWeiss.com.
I will send you my online calendar to schedule a call.

What will you get from the call?

  • Get extreme clarity on one of your current challenges
  • Understand what is necessary to get you from where you are to where you want to be.
  • Create an action plan, so you know what your next steps are

THIS IS NOT a SALES CALL! 🙂

Until Next Time, Be Well and Happy!

Joyce Weiss, M.A., CSP, CVP
Communication Coach
Queen of Conflict Resolution

Remember, You’ll Get What You Tolerate!

P.S. Please share this post on your social media. As a result, other growth-minded people can reduce their high drama and inner stress.
We made it easy for you. The shareable social media links are below.

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Proven Strategies How to Handle Your Biggest Challenges

  • What are the biggest challenges that you experience in your career?
  • How would you answer that question if you were a guest on my show, Kick Conflict to the Curb™?

Human Resource Professional Laneshia Collier shared her biggest challenges during one of my episodes.

Watch the short video of how Laneshia answered this question.

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 What are the Biggest Challenges for Laneshia?

See if these sound familiar if you are a Department Manager or Leader:

  • Finding top talent
  • Turning around disagreements
  • Weak leadership
  • Low employee morale
  • Favoritism
  • Under appreciation

How to turn around your biggest challenges

The good news is that Laneshia was able to turn around some of these challenges. Human Resource Professionals are the glue that holds the company together. They need to communicate confidently and know how to handle pushback.

Speaking to management is always a risk because of the fear of retaliation. Lucky for Laneshia is that she has strong communication skills and doesn’t dread tough conversations. It was worth the risk of using her voice. Her leadership respects her candidness!

It’s Your Turn to Share Your Biggest Challenges 

What challenges do you want to add to this list? 

Please share your thoughts, and let’s have an interesting conversation.

Stay tuned for a future post where I share how Laneshia took a risk and had a tough conversation with her boss!

https://youtu.be/z3E1jQGw1AQ

 

Kick Conflict to the Curb™ is a concept that I share in my community. The benefit is that clients have increased self-confidence because they no longer dread difficult conversations. 

I have a treat for you to feel more confident in your conversations.

Visit www.KickConflicttotheCurb.com and grab your copy of the communication assessment. You will discover how your communication impacts your success at work.

Who is Joyce Weiss?

Joyce is a communication coach and works with HR Pros and growth-minded individuals who need to feel confident using their voice – without losing their cool.

They transform from no longer feeling invisible to having their input recognized and respected. 

Let’s Stay Connected

Please comment about this week’s post. How does it resonate with you?
You can share in the comment section or email me HERE.

Are you ready to disrupt your status quo?
Discover what it costs you when you don’t know how to resolve conflict.
Money? Relationships? Inner Peace?

Let’s figure this out together, especially what it’s costing you when you don’t know how to resolve the conflict.

I help clients see through the fog and clarify what they really want. My job is to help them explore the possibilities of getting there.
Clients transform from not knowing how to start a challenging conversation to feeling confident using their voice – without losing their cool.

Email me at Joyce@JoyceWeiss.com to discuss one of your current challenges and discover how to take you from where you are to where you want to be.

Until Next Time, Be Well and Happy!

Joyce Weiss, M.A., CSP, CVP
Communication Coach
Queen of Conflict Resolution

P.S. Please share this post on your social media. As a result, other growth-minded people can reduce their high drama and inner stress.
We made it easy for you. The shareable social media links are below.

Thanks for reading, and remember – You Get What You Tolerate!

 

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Good Conflict is a Great Motivator – Video

  • Are your leaders conflict-avoiders?
  • Is your team smiling when they get to work?
  • Do you want to know how a client’s organization uses conflict as a motivator? 

If so, don’t move! 🙂

This post comes from an interview with Bob Thomas, Chief Operating Officer for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, on my live broadcast – Kick Conflict to the Curb™. The topic of the show was “Improving Relationships During Conflict.”

Bob shared many important ideas on how he and his leadership team go the extra mile to reduce conflict at the chamber to create a positive culture.

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Good Conflict is a Great Motivator

Here are some of the leadership’s ideas that the MI Chamber of Commerce follows:

  • They have thoughtful conversations to resolve conflict.
  • Everyone is responsible to be better all the time – including leaders.
  • The team has a strong sense of belonging because the chamber knows employees’ passions at work and at home.

An Accountability Chart Encourages Good Conflict 

Bob shared many important ideas on how he and his leadership team go the extra mile to reduce conflict at the chamber to create a positive culture. The Michigan Chamber of Commerce started using an accountability chart. The chart is part of their success in being “the best place to work” for many years.

Here are the basics of an accountability chart:

  • They discuss what needs to get done and how to do it.
  • The team knows what they are responsible for and are asked, “Can you own it?”
  • Additionally, the team knows what it is responsible for, and they do a good job because they care and the job requirements are clear.
  • Good conflict is discussed and resolved.

Let’s Stay Connected

Please comment about this week’s post. How does it resonate with you?
You can share in the comment section or email me HERE.

Are you ready to disrupt your status quo?

Discover what it costs you when you don’t know how to resolve conflict.
                                       Money? Relationships? Inner Peace?

Private coaching is perfect for individuals or small groups who feel stuck at work or home. They can’t take it anymore, yet they don’t know how to move forward.

Let’s figure this out together. Especially what it’s costing you.

I help clients see through the fog and clarify what they want. My job is to help them explore the possibilities of getting there.
Clients transform from not knowing how to start a challenging conversation to feeling confident using their voice – without losing their cool.

Are you ready to explore if private coaching is right for you? Call me at 248.681.5831 or send me an email: Joyce@JoyceWeiss.com. It may not be right for you, but let’s
discuss your situation and find out how easy it is to work with me. I’m confident you will thank me later!

Until Next Time, Be Well and Happy!

Joyce Weiss, M.A., CSP, CVP
Communication Coach
Queen of Conflict Resolution

P.S. Please share this post on your social media. As a result, other growth-minded people can reduce their high drama and inner stress.
We made it easy for you. The shareable social media links are below.

Thanks for reading, and remember – You Get What You Tolerate!

 

Contact Joyce

Email: joyce@joyceweiss.com
Phone: 248-681-5831