How to Get Deep for Difficult Conversations: Conflict Management Tips

Do you hate difficult conversations? Do you always struggle to discuss what matters most in such conversations? Do you often experience anxiety during confrontation? Well, this episode might have ALL the answers you are looking for!

For starters, you probably need to focus on yourself. Because, believe it or not, focusing on yourself can make you a better communicator and negotiator, says Harvard Law School professor and bestselling author Sheila Heen.

Join Matt and Sheila on this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart as the dynamic duo discusses new and interesting ways to think about negotiations and conflict, such as:
• How to overcome the anxiety of entering potentially difficult situations.
• Why clamping down on your emotions might not be a good idea and what to do instead.
• How to find and uncover the deeper issues that lie underneath every negotiation.
• What steps to take when negotiations get stuck
• What pitfalls to avoid when giving and receiving feedback.
• What analytical tools exist to help you look deeper into issues.

With Sheila’s unexpected, yet incredibly helpful tips and tricks, you can grow as a negotiator and a communicator. You will learn more about yourself, and the way you communicate, and Sheila will equip you with the tools to use that knowledge to make every conflict you may get into easy to deal with.

Key Quotes
• “There’s a big difference between being emotional and handling feelings well.” –Sheila Heen (04:55)
• “Probably the first question [you should ask] is, ‘does this person want my feedback?’ Unsolicited feedback can some of the hardest feedback to be on the receiving end of.”–Sheila Heen (12:30)

Chapters
0:00 Introduction
01:40 Facing Difficult Conversations
03:53 The Feelings Beneath Conflict
07:02 The Stories We Tell Ourselves
08:19 Start with the Third Story
09:59 The Power of Questions
12:36 Breaking an Impasse
16:15 The Language of Curiosity
17:12 Feedback That Lands
20:18 Asking for Better Feedback
22:38 Looking Beneath the Surface
24:15 The Final Three Questions
31:30 Conclusion

Relevant Links:
Sheila Heen: https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/sheila-heen/

Sheila’s Book: https://www.fastersmarter.io/difficult-conversations/

Episode References:
144. Communicating Through Conflict: How to Get Along with Anyone
Website: https://www.fastersmarter.io/144-communicating-through-conflict-how-to-get-along-with-anyone/
YouTube: https://youtu.be/in6mVtOeSAc

136. The Art of Disagreeing Without Conflict: Navigating the Nuance
Website: https://www.fastersmarter.io/136-the-art-of-disagreeing-without-conflict-navigating-the-nuance/
YouTube: https://youtu.be/MK71f_pYPag

Connect with us:
Premium Signup: https://www.fastersmarter.io/premium/
Email Questions & Feedback: hello@fastersmarter.io
LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/think-fast-talk-smart/)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/thinkfasttalksmart/)
YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@ThinkFastTalkSmart)
Matt Abrahams on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/maabrahams//maabrahams)