How to Turn Around A Sinking Conversation - 7 Tips

When a conversation is not working out there is the potential for massive frustration or a breakthrough depending on how you look at it.

1. Question your assumptions about the other person

Perhaps the breakdown in communication is based on rumors that have no basis in reality. You may be unfairly judging the other person and filtering every word he speaks because of a false image of who he really is.

Have you ever harshly judged someone and found out later you were completely in the wrong? Make sure you are not making the same mistake again.

2. Ask for clarification

Ask the other person to fill in the gaps that are causing you to lose your grasp on the train of thought.

Asking questions demonstrates your interest in a positive outcome and is to be encouraged. Never worry about looking stupid for asking for more information. The smartest people value information and are always ready to ask for more.

3. Are you really listening?

Check that you are really paying attention and not just pretending to be. Change your posture, pay close attention to how the other person is talking and demand more of yourself.

Become more attentive simply by choosing to be.

4. Address the issue directly

Be direct and say aloud that you feel the conversation is not working out. Often the other person will agree and together the two of you will be able to work to correct the situation.

Two minds are better than one!

5. Ask for help

If you often have trouble conversing with a particular person get advice from someone that knows the other person. Very often by doing this you will get new insights you can act on right away.

And someone who is removed from the situation will have the objectivity you need to make sense of the chaos you have created.

6. Take a break

Sometimes the timing just is not right. Reschedule the conversation for a later time when you are better prepared, more rested or not as distracted by other issues.

Forcing something to work out when the odds are stacked against you is difficult and often unnecessary. Get back to it later when you are feeling more capable and you will make better decisions and with less effort.

7. Aim for good not perfect

Sometimes we hold such high standards for ourselves that we can never win. If you demand 100 per cent success at all times you are setting yourself up for constant disappointment. Do your best and aim to learn and improve from every experience.

Be kinder to yourself and you will be more relaxed in all of your dealings with other people. And ironically your performance will improve because you are not being so hard on yourself.

About The Author

Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced a very popular free report: 10 Simple Steps to Developing Communication Confidence. Apply now because it is available for a limited time only at: http://www.howtotalkwithconfidence.com/report.htm

peter1510@hotmail.com

---

Whats in it for me if I Hire A Coach?

1. An unshakable foundation:Create and build your life from the... Read More

7 Steps to Take Control of Your Life

Taking control of your life is getting in touch with... Read More

One BIG Way To Increase Your Values and Self-Esteem

One hour here, two hours there, even fifteen minutes, it... Read More

Friends?

I met my friend when we were in graduate school,... Read More

The Mid-Life Challenge: Make a Plan to Re-ignite Vocational Passion

Nobody will stop you in the hallway at work to... Read More

Discovering Your Passion and Purpose

"I can't seem to discover why I'm on the planet.""What... Read More

Make Progress Now: Take the Hand Brakes Off Your Life!

Do you find yourself striving upward in life yet making... Read More

What To Do? Lifes Big Question

We've all experienced the same thing at important crossroads in... Read More

How to Kill Fear When Dealing with Aggressive People

The book Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway by... Read More

Not Blind, Just No Vision

Helen Keller once remarked that there was one thing she... Read More

Are You Seduced by The Dark Side of Wealth Creation? Get-Rich-Quick Scammers

With the growing number of expert business people, consultants and... Read More

Permission To Have FUN

? Have you been working long hours? ? Have... Read More

Are You Invisible?

Ellen was brought up to be invisible. She was taught... Read More

Making Communication Effective: 4 Language Filters

Language is a challenging way to communicate. It allows us... Read More

Skills for Change

The name of the game is CHANGE -- that's true... Read More

How To Give Criticism Without Bruising Egos

As responsible employers, parents, and friends, we have an obligation... Read More

Do you know WHAT MAKES ME MAD?? It makes me SO MAD I just want to...

Sound familiar? If you want to manage anger, the only... Read More

Curbing the Public Nuisance (Part 1)

He's been around since the dawn of humanity. His profession... Read More

Attitude

What makes attitude so important? Why not just learn some... Read More

Ten Ways to Make New Years Resolutions That You Can Actually Keep!

Are you one of the millions of people who make... Read More

Dont Settle

Settling is about not embracing what is best for you,... Read More

Do You Need a Performance Coach?

In today's fast paced world, we are often confronted with... Read More

Attention! Thought Crossing! ? Or, The Secret of What?s Between Your Ears

What are you thinking - right now? 'I'm reading your... Read More

Leading Grief Groups: The Preliminaries

Preparation: If you desire advertising the group, announcements need to... Read More

Grow Through It

It's past bedtime for most working men. It's not unbearably... Read More

Why Bosses Dont Get All the News

Not long ago, a friend who works in television complained... Read More

Being an Emotional Victim

None of us like to think of ourselves as victims.... Read More

The Amazing Secret To Ridding Yourself Of Self Consciousness

One of the biggest challenges to developing superior communication skills... Read More

The Fastest Way to Ruin Yourself

I don't know many people who would admit to wanting... Read More

How to Make $100,000 Dollars as a Personal Trainer ? Part A for Attitude!

My name is Greg Ryan. For the last twenty years... Read More

Passport to Passion

Passion is a feeling of excitement and intensity. The energy... Read More

Surviving the Workday in Your Organization

Most people suffer from stress at some time during the... Read More

How to Hire a Coach

Improve Your Life! How to Hire A Coach.A reader writes,... Read More