Tips for Non-Promotional Conversations

Don’t make the mistake I did, wasting time arguing when I could’ve been discussing… I spent too long trying to win arguments, viewing them as battles I needed to win. Counting points scored and not insights shared. I aimed to conquer and not to comprehend. I wanted to be right. This mindset left me isolated. Winning debates, but losing friends. Destroying trust at the expense of my ego. And then one day it all started clicking. Conversations aren’t about victories. They’re journeys toward discovery. Let’s learn how you can pivot from conflict to curiosity. ____________________________________ 3 Downfalls to Arguments: - Fosters division, not unity - Can turn allies into adversaries - Prioritizes ego over understanding ____________________________________ 5 Benefits to Discussions: - Builds and strengthens relationships - Cultivates empathy and respect - Encourages collaborations - Broadens perspective - Ignites curiosity ____________________________________ 7 Tips to Turn Arguments to Discussions: - Stop needing to be right - Listen more than you speak - Keep an open mind and heart - Ask questions and keep curious - Share insights, don’t impose them - Foster common ground, stay unique - Different views are chances for growth ____________________________________ Meaningful discussions are transformative. It’s not just about exchanging information. It’s about building bridges, not barriers. It’s about enriching your worldviews. It’s about learning to collaborate. The goal is to include, not exclude. Let’s shift the paradigm together. From arguing to understanding. From competing to collaborating. I spent too long doing it the wrong way. Let me help you avoid my mistakes. Reach out, let’s shift the tone. From conflicts to curiosities. From surviving to thriving. PS How do y’all start a healthy chat? 📌DM me “Thrive”, I can help you ♻️Found this helpful, repost for others

Three hacks I recommend to my executive coaching clients before they go into a challenging conversation: 1️⃣ Ground in your values before you go into the conversation. Write down three words to answer this question: "How do I want to be perceived by the person I'm talking with today?" This is a fast way to check that your planned behavior aligns with your values. 2️⃣ Get curious. Google the "Ted Lasso get curious scene" if you need inspiration. Many times, conflict happens because two people simply aren't seeing each other. They get so stuck in their own perspective, fears, and hurt that they aren't able to see the other person's viewpoint. Go into the conversation with the intention of asking questions to better understand the person across from you. 3️⃣ Reflect the other person's perspective. Even if you disagree with someone, you can always make them feel heard. You can listen to them and "reflect" back what you hear them saying. Say: "Here's what I hear you saying. {Summarize in your own words.} Am I getting that right?" Reflecting allows us to help another person feel heard, and then you can present your own alternative opinion on the topic. We're always going to bump with other people inside our work lives and personal lives. We're all different humans with different perspectives, values, ideas, motivations, fears, joys, and needs. When we're different, we will naturally bump into others. Our goal isn't to prevent friction. Our goal is to make friction a useful tool for productive conversation. As long as we can see each other, we can move forward together. We can turn conflict into a trust-breaker into a trust-maker. I want to know from you, LinkedIn friends: How do you prepare for a challenging conversation with someone?

You do it. I’ve done it.  We need to stop. Last year, I was doing some self-reflection. I wanted to improve my conversations. The answer came, "Stop being defensive." Wait, what? I did not feel like I was? I looked a bit closer and started to see opportunity to change and get better. You’ve seen the sign but ignore it. Warning: “Do Not Escalate” Why do your conversations sometimes go sidewise? Let's talk about the art of staying grounded. Why does the choice not to be defensive matter? I’m not talking about the stomp-your-foot talk or the angry and strong response talk. → I’m talking about the subtle defensiveness we all do.  It can often start with an innocent response. You share an idea, a thought, a help, and it lands wrong.  → We want to straighten it out.  → Correct them, if you will.  Watch out for that. Maybe, don’t do that.  Here's what you don't need: 1. Communication that unnecessarily escalates conflicts. 2. A mindset that blocks understanding and empathy. 3. An attitude that damages relationships over time. Three Stop Signs You Should Heed: 1. Stop defending every stance you hold.  2. Stop letting defensiveness hinder your communication.  3. Stop allowing defensiveness to strain your relationships.  Choosing not to defend every stance will transform conflicts into conversations. → It's about picking your battles wisely. Want to let go of being defensive? Here's what you do need: 1. Openness to listen without immediate judgment. 2. Patience to let the moment pass and respond when the time is right. 3. Courage to address misunderstandings with clarity, perhaps later. Embrace the Power of Pause: → Give space for dialogue to flourish. → Allow empathy to bridge gaps. Benefits Await: → Discover a new level of dialogue that fosters understanding. → Build stronger, more resilient personal and professional bonds. → Encourage an environment where growth and learning are nurtured. Three Action Steps to Non-Defensive Communication: Practice active listening. → Hear the message, not just the words. 2. Reflect before you react. → Is this a moment for silence or speech? 3. Choose clarity over confrontation. → Seek to understand, then to be understood. How do you keep yourself from being defensive? Like this content? Ring the 🔔 to Follow ♻️ Repost to share