Conversations
Moving Out and Moving On: Tips for Parents
The temperature’s rising, the pollen count is high and exams are stressing parents and students. Lurking under the surface is the knowledge that life is going to change dramatically after exams. People expect everyone to welcome moving out and moving on. So no one wants to mention fears or problems. Everyone puts on a relentlessly positive…
Read MoreWhy is asking for help so hard? Tips to do it well.
I have a confession to make. I like many others am a help addict. We get a buzz out of helping others, and sometimes forget to let others have the chance to get that buzz. We hate asking for help but love giving. What do I mean? At a networking event, the delicious array on the…
Read MoreWhy being reasonable doesn’t always work
We think if people were just reasonable, we would be able to persuade them. If you are starting a conversation to change someone’s mind with the words “If only you would be reasonable…” or “It’s just common sense…” I’ve got bad news for you…it won’t work. Because what the other person hears is “You are…
Read MoreChanging People Who Don’t Want to Change
Changing people who don’t want to change? Is it even possible? Here are some options if you are stuck in a situation where changing people is hard. I want to sort this out, but (insert name here) just doesn’t want to do anything. It would be great if we could just discuss the situation, but…
Read MoreKeeping the Peace at Christmas
Keeping the Peace at Christmas What’s important to you this Christmas? Is it making sure the kids are happy? is it keeping the peace between your brothers and sisters?What about making sure you don’t argue with your mother-in-law? And then there’s the presents and the food… Does the whole idea make you grumpy? Christmas…
Read MoreHealth & Safety Message Ignored? Try a Different Approach
Health & Safety Message Ignored? Try a Different Approach Is your health & safety message ignored? At Christmas time, no one wants to think about dangers and rules, so it’s even harder to make sure that health and safety issues are addressed. Many health and safety professionals try and get the message across by…
Read MoreSpeak Out or Suffer in Silence? Tips to help you choose what’s best
“Speak out? It’s more than my job’s worth.” “Say something? Last time I tried that, I got shouted at.” “It’s nothing to do with me, why should I risk saying anything?” “Speak out? Why bother– it won’t make any difference.” How can we work out what will be the best option? On the one hand,…
Read MoreNo one listening? Try something different
“There is no one listening! I keep telling them they have got it wrong. But they just don’t take it on board!” My client was getting more and more frustrated and angry with his customers who seemed oblivious to a critical problem. I asked what made him think there was no one listening. “They won’t change. So they…
Read MoreTalking about money
Talking about money Not talking about money can cause serious problems in business, relationships, and health. So can talking about money if we get it wrong. Many of us see money in the way prehistoric man saw fire—we know it is something powerful, but we’re not too sure what to do with it or how…
Read MoreStarting a Sensitive Discussion–Some Hints
No one likes to be the one starting a sensitive discussion. We’ve all been there..everyone thinks someone should say something, anybody could, but no one does….and then it all goes wrong. That’s why these situations are described as “the elephant in the room” –it’s too big to talk about and if no one says anything,…
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