Communication Archives

The Role of Attitude in Conflict Resolution

How do you approach conflict? Are you the kind of person who resolves conflicts peacefully or drags them out? Your attitude in conflictual situations plays a crucial role in the final outcomes. According to the Arbinger Institute—a leading consultant in conflict resolution, mindset change, and leadership training since 1979—a person who finds themselves in constant conflict embodies what they call a “combative mindset”—a conflict attitude characterized by self-focused viewpoints that lead them to worsen conflict instead of cooperating to resolve it. In this article, we’ll examine the combative mindset, how it makes conflict worse, and the biases that lead people

The Ultimate Guide to Feedback in the Workplace

Do you have a feedback system at your organization? Do you feel like your employees take on the feedback provided by senior management? There’s no such thing as a perfect feedback system for any given organization. Every system will have tradeoffs. It will work well for some, be adequate for others, and be poorly suited to still others. There are some things you can do, though, to give your chosen system the best shot at success. In this article, we’ll examine these techniques through three perspectives: 1) senior leadership and HR, 2) team leaders and coaches, and 3) receivers.

Intent Versus Impact: Understanding Microaggressions

What are microaggressions? Why do authors Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff believe that excessive focus on perceived microaggressions can lead to a negative feedback loop? In their book The Coddling of the American Mind, co-authors Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff say that the focus on microaggressions is unhealthy because oftentimes, the aggressive behavior is perceived when no intentional slight was actually made. The authors claim that many reactions to perceived insults are taken too far, especially when they lead to de-platforming. Keep reading to learn what Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff have to say about the intent versus impact of

Effective Team Communication: Make It Brief & Early

What is effective team communication in the leader-leader model? How can leaders communicate without controlling? Submarine captain David Marquet found that brief and early conversations with his crew at all levels were the key to effective team communication. Ultimately these conversations saved time, prevented mistakes, and focused efforts on the right objectives. Read more to learn this method of effective team communication.

Why Sexual Equality Doesn’t Apply to Sex

Think and Grow Rich: Sexual Transmutation Demystified

Are egalitarianism and sexual desire mutually exclusive? How do they contradict each other? How can we foster sexual equality when the act of sex itself is a power play? According to Esther Perel, the author of Mating in Captivity, egalitarianism and sexual desire are inherently at odds with each other. Egalitarianism is all about fairness and respect, while sexual desire is driven by aggression and power play. However, this doesn’t mean that egalitarianism and desire have to be a balancing act. Here’s what couples therapist Esther Perel has to say about sexual equality.

Causes of Interpersonal Conflict: Why Do We Fight?

What do you think causes interpersonal conflict at a high level? What makes trivial conflicts escalate into full-blown arguments? We all struggle with conflicts, both on a smaller scale—in our businesses and families—and on a grand scale—politically and intergovernmentally. Of course, the causes of interpersonal conflict are varied and wide-ranging. At a high level, however, many of them can all be boiled down to our inability to recognize and acknowledge that we are part of the problem. In this article, we’ll discuss what causes conflict, according to a leading consultant in conflict resolution the Arbinger Institute.

8 Tips for Therapists (and Problems to Avoid)

What are the best tips for therapists? What are some common problems you should avoid? From patient engagement, to the structure of a session, to setting feasible expectations, there are many things to consider as a therapist. Knowing some effective tips for therapists can help you navigate this, as well as understanding common issues you might face. Keep reading for the best tips for therapists.

How to Receive Feedback Effectively: 3 Tips

Do you often receive feedback? How do you respond to it? Why do you think feedback is so important? Feedback is an important element of personal and professional development but few people know how to receive feedback effectively. In their book Thanks for the Feedback, communication experts Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen provide some actionable tips on how to have a feedback conversation on the receiver’s end. In this article, we’ll look at specifics of how to have a feedback conversation: the general arc of the conversation, and major elements you need to touch upon to be successful.

Why Difficult Feedback Affects Your Identity

How to Communicate Effectively in 11 Steps

How do you react to negative feedback? Does criticism make you act defensive? Why do you think that is? According to communication experts Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen, the reason some people react defensively to difficult feedback is that it challenges their identity—who they feel they are. You can even be triggered by feedback that isn’t directly about you, but is instead about someone close to you. Because your identity is formed in part by comparison to others and the success of your peers can reflect on your own. Keep reading to learn how your identity story influences your criticism

How to Instill a Proactive Mindset in Your Team

How can you develop leaders by helping them have a proactive mindset? How can a change in language make a big difference? A proactive mindset helps people take ownership in their work. It goes hand in hand with authority to make decisions and promote progress. It can be as simple as declaring an intention to do something—rather than asking permission or waiting to be told to do it. Read more to learn how to instill a proactive mindset in your team members.