I was a guest on Mike Domitrz’s radio show-The Gift of Respect and his TV Show-Impact. I am very impressed with Mike’s important message and how he educates parents, students, teachers and the US Military on respectful dating and building mutual consent.  Mike’s company Date Safe Project has numerous resources for you to check out.

Both Mike and I help our clients understand the importance of respect. This is why I decided to share Mike’s interview with you. Many you may have children or grandchildren who are starting to date or attend college. I can remember some interesting conversations that I had with my children when they were teens! I wish that I had Mike’s tools to share with them at that time. Parents and teens need to have tough conversations and Mike’s tools teach us how to open up the door easily so we can have these important two way discussions. One of the most important keys is to have mutual respect…especially when we hear how our loved ones had to deal with people who disrespected them.

At time a few parents don’t want Mike to speak at school assemblies. The parents have told him, “My child is not involved in dating or drinking yet-my kids don’t drink or date and won’t until they get older.” Mike tells these parents that their children may not be involved at this time, yet he encourages parents to have the discussion NOW so both parents and their children will be prepared in the future.

Our actual interview is located on the link below. If you can’t open it up, I have included they key points of the interview in this blog post.

Joyce’s Radio Interview on the Mike Domitrz radio show, The Gift of Respect

Students listen to Mike…they didn’t know that they had a choice during those uncomfortable times when they go on dates. After Mike’s programs, students are well informed. They learn that they are not odd for not drinking or dating at this time in their life. They learn that even though getting mutual consent sounds “stupid” they would rather ask than have an embarrassing moment when the consent was not mutual.

Parents love his message because they learn specific skills to teach their kids when it comes to mutual consent and respect. We are not taught these important skills. He has two websites as great resources for parents, teachers and students, and the military: HelpMyTeenIsDating and DateSafeProject. People can find helpful videos and articles.

Discover how you can tackle tough conversations with negative people, bullies, or slackers by enrolling in My Top Level Leadership Tune Up: Communicate with Impact Master E-Course. Click here to see testimonials from clients who took the Course so you can get the respect that you deserve and that better night’s sleep!

 3 Main ideas teens learn after Mike’s training

1. Give your partner a choice and respect their answer. Respectfully say, “No” to him or her without sounding mean. Listen and respect their partner’s response if they say, “NO.”

2. What to do when students go to high school or middle school parties when alcohol is present. How to handle a situation when a friend is using alcohol and someone is trying to hit on him or her. Mike suggests that they intervene by distracting the aggressor. The friend can say, “Our friend had a lot to drink and we will give her or him a safe ride home.” Mike strongly suggests that a few friends do this together. They need to be positive and non-judgmental. The friends will know that they are doing the right thing if the assaulter blames them for budding in.

3. How to help by being there for friends or family members who have been assaulted. Mike tells parents not to say, “If anyone touches you, I’ll kill him or her.” The child will not go to his or her parents if they are assaulted. Instead Mike teaches parents to say, “I’m here for you and will support you any way that I can.” This keeps the door open and shows mutual respect.

How did Mike become an expert on Safe Dating?

He was studying theater in college when he received a phone call from his mother that his sister was raped. He was shocked, full of anger, and enraged. Over time he realized that he could take his anger and do something positive with this negative energy. He heard a speaker who spoke about consent. Mike started speaking to schools and the military about mutual consent and respect. He was an angry brother who turned into a VERY effective speaker full of passion to help others learn these important life skills. His sister is his inspiration. She is a true survivor. He shows people how to deal with conflict. Will they be crippled by conflict or resolve it and learn how to move on? It’s great to meet a colleague who speaks on a different topic than I do BUT who gets the same results…Be Direct with Respect®.

You can reach Mike at 800.329.9390 and mike.d@datesafeproject.org.

Want to Use this Article in Your Newsletter or on Your Website?
Of course! You are welcome to print this, and any other tips or article we send, if you use the following byline: 

A recognized expert on Resolving Conflict in the Workplace, Joyce Weiss, M.A., CSP is an author, accountability coach, and a Certified Speaking Professional. She helps people to tackle the tough conversations to build employee engagement, accountability and rock star performance! To book Joyce to speak at your event or company call: 800.713.1926 or email: Joyce@JoyceWeiss.com.  Her website is JoyceWeiss.com.

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Until next time,
This is Joyce Weiss, Conflict Resolution Consultant

 I help people become top level leaders who get GREAT results. I teach them to tackle the tough conversations to build employee engagement, accountability, and rock star performance.  The result?  My clients will a better night’s sleep!

PS  Discover how you can tackle tough conversations with negative people, bullies, or slackers by enrolling in My Top Level Leadership Tune Up:  Communicate with Impact Master E-Course.  Click here to see testimonials from clients who took the Course so you can get the respect that you deserve and that better night’s sleep!

PPS Watch Mike interview me on his TV show, Impact on WHY respect is so important to me.