Twins Talk Clear-cut Communication

The twins tackle accommodation as a conflict management strategy.  It may not be as positive a strategy as some of you might think.

The twins talk about avoidance as a conflict strategy.  Clearly not one of their favorites, particularly with people who are important in your life.  So, heads up you avoiders.

Buckle up buttercups, you are being treated to our favorite approach to managing conflict situations.  Huge upside with little downside.  But like everything else we seem to recommend, it takes more energy than some of the alternatives.

After indulging themselves in accolades, the twins take on the CCCAA approach to dealing with conflict.  It's all about context, skill set, and choice.  The first up, Competition.

Drs Ray and Bob share a long standing model for conflict management and note the importance of using different options in managing conflict depending on the context.  They also suggest compromise as being an option of last resort.  So stop that compromising!

The twins share a model of interpersonal conflict that is both elegant and useful, at least they think so.  There may be a few surprises in this one, so buckle up.

The twins pivot to conflict in communication by initially exploring how conflict can be distinguished from similar concepts such as disagreement, difference of opinion, and opposition.  In addition, they try sort out some beliefs people maintain about communication conflict that work against them being able to manage it effectively.  Lastly, they identify a few one-liners that capture some folks response to conflict situations.  Enjoy!

After giving some shout-outs, the twins make one more direct assault on listening by exploring a few advanced skills.  Restating, paraphrasing, and, possibly the most profound skill, reflecting all get explored.

The twins finally get to the point on asking questions.  They explain how you can know when you are asking great (effective) questions and when you are asking not so great (ineffective) questions.  They even try to make the case for not answering questions with answers.  What?!!?

The twins take on one of those very tricky dynamics in interpersonal conversations - interrupting.  They explore why we don't interrupt, bad reasons for interrupting, and why we should interrupt.  Where they land may surprise you!  BTW, if you would like to provide feedback or raise a question, we are always glad to hear from you at [email protected].