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This Week in the World
Political bullying
in...kindergarden?
I thought I already knew how divisive the political environment is. I thought I had heard it all. But I learned something that surprised me when a viewer called in to a TV interview show I was on for my Unite and Concur eBook. The caller relayed sordid tales of political bullying in her child’s elementary school.
Since that day, I have heard other tales of the political divide trickling down to our kids.
My eBook talks about how to handle political bullies. You can get some quick tips in my article: Eight tips to handle political bullies here.
Have you, your kids or other family members been subjected to political bullying? Please email me or post comments on my blog with your tales.
And have a great, bully-free week.
“Only talk the walk if you are committed to walk the talk.” Meryl Runion
PowerPhrase of the Week
I'll let that one go because I can tell how angry you are
On my planet, people don’t hit people they care about (or even people they don’t care about) below the belt. On my planet, they don’t speak to hurt, they speak to clarify and resolve.
And on my planet, when someone hits you below the belt, you set a boundary. Unless there is more to be gained by letting it pass.
That’s what Lynette did when Tom made an unfair attack on her during an argument. She let it go deliberately and strategically. She said,
- I’ll let that one go because I can tell how angry you are. What we need to focus on is…
It kept the conversation on track without making her a victim.
Unite and Concur tells you how to reach agreement on
contentious issues. It's not just for political discussions: it can guide
you through all your challenging conversations.
Stop arguing and start communicating now.
Poison Phrase of the Week
It's not my money
Bob spoke up at the register when he was overcharged for his coffee. The cashier realized the register wasn’t working properly, so she rang it up manually - for $1 less than he owed. He pointed out the new error, and she said,
- I’m just trying to help you out. It’s not my money.
Nothing he could say helped her understand that he just wanted to pay what he owed. He was astounded that she saw no reason not to cheat the company she worked for.
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Ask Meryl
Did you send that out?
Meryl,
Hope all is well. I have a communication question that has been nagging at me for some time. I know you can solve it. The question – What do you say to someone who continues to ask you repeatedly, “Was that done?” or “Did you send that out?”
I find this extremely frustrating because it is overdone to the most simplest task. I don’t think it is necessary when, especially when my duties are the same on a daily basis. Help me, please.
Meryl says,
I can think of a number of ways to respond. One is: make a visible chart (online if you don’t share office space) where you mark those things off. Another is to ask:
- I notice you consistently check up on what I’ve done, and it makes me wonder if I've done anything to cause you to not trust me. Have I?
Or you could just let it pass.
Let me know how it goes.
Do you have a communication question? You can Ask Meryl.
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There's lots of information about how to communicate |
Reader Success Story
The smell of a Poison Phrase
English is my second language. I made it a goal for 2007 to
improve my communication skills along with my candor. I am happy to report
that I have made miles of progress (I can sleep peacefully at night) and I
am more effective with people. Admittedly I am not an expert communicator
yet, however I can smell poison phrases and personally I make a conscious
effort to avoid them.
Comments here.
Reader Comments on Previous Newsletters
Blog comments:
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Issue
308
May 6, 2008 |
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SpeakStrong Definition
To express yourself both powerfully &
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to say what you mean,
mean what you say,
without being mean
when you say it.