Note: Based on comments by Dr Henry Cloud, Clinical psychologist, leadership consultant, and author.
Summarised below by Dean Ellinson, Principal of Ellinson Legal
Don’t Match Immaturity with Immaturity
When confronting someone who responds with immaturity, many people respond in the same way. Meeting anger with anger, blame with blame, attach with attack. This response may not be the best, most helpful or most mature thing to do.
Need for Self-Control in Confrontation
You need to be in control of how you respond to an attack. Give up the right to pay back in kind. Remember there needs to be at least one adult present in the room for a problem to be solved.
Avoid the attack or defensiveness or counter-attack becoming the issue and deflecting away from the problem you wish to discuss and resolve. Winning a point in responding to the attack can run the risk of leading away from the path towards resolving the problem which you came to the discussion to resolve.
Skills to be Learned
There are skills to be learned about having difficult conversations; skills that are meaningful and oriented around a goal.
Our experienced team is here to provide you with the guidance you need. Contact us today on 03 8765 2364 to learn more about how we can assist you.
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