Episode 14: Behind Difficult Conversations: The Powerful Practice of Noticing and Naming

In this episode, we'll talk about how honing the skills of noticing and naming can transform interpersonal dynamics and foster healthier relationships, both personally and professionally. Get to the root cause of interpersonal conflicts and misunderstandings with me and learn how we can foster a culture of respect, empathy, and understanding in our communication.  

 

Key Takeaways: 

• Why Difficult Conversations Are Different for Everyone - The diversity in how we handle difficult conversations stems from several key factors: our backgrounds, our emotional resilience, and our past experiences with conflict. 

• The Power of Noticing and Naming Conflict - Conflict and difficult conversations are part of daily life. By observing and naming what we see—without adding our interpretations or stories—we can open up clearer lines of communication. And instead of jumping to conclusions or making assumptions, we can address the issues at hand.  

• The Role of Bridging Statements - A problem well stated is a problem half solved. Conflict is an inevitable aspect of human interaction, but how we approach it determines its outcome. Bridging statements offer a roadmap for navigating conflict with grace and compassion.  

• The Importance of Self-Awareness in Effective Communication - Effective communication is not solely about the words we speak or the gestures we make; it also encompasses a deep understanding of our own internal reactions and thought processes.  

• Understanding Without Judgment - The art of naming facial expressions requires sensitivity, awareness, and humility. By resisting the temptation to impose our interpretations onto others' expressions, we honor the complexity of human emotions and experiences. 

 

Helpful Resource: 

• The Power of Naming What’s Helpful- The power of naming lies in its ability to bring awareness to specific behaviors without assigning blame, and it can be even more effective when paired with identifying what is helpful in the context of the conversation. It allows for a clearer understanding of the issues and facilitates more productive interactions. 

 

Notable Highlights: 

"We all have these different models of the world and because we've all grown up in different households in different spaces, we all have different models of what feels difficult. We all have different levels of resilience around challenging conversations and conflict." 

"Oftentimes, the way a person handles a difficult conversation at home may be different from the way they handle it in the office." 

"Remember, only 7% of communication is words and the rest of the 93% is tone of voice, facial expressions, eye movements, and body language." 

"When we name what we see and name what's helpful, then it helps to shift the conversation without throwing accusation and blame and throwing out our interpretation." 

 

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Hosted by: Dr. Maiysha Clairborne 

Communication is the foundation of everything and everything happens in communication. If you’re ready to take your communication to the next level, our Communication That Transforms course dives deep into creating psychological safety, handling crucial conversations, navigating conflict, and cultivating trust in a way that truly leaves the people in your life feeling seen, heard, respected and valued. It will transform how you lead and how you show up in all of your relationships . Learn more and register at www.mindremappingacademy.com/ticc. If you are a leaders and your employees or teams are struggling with team dynamics, consider taking them through our new “Communications That Transforms” group cohort. 

 
See the full course breakdown and get a free preview of key modules to experience the value. Go to https://mindremappingacademy.com/course-catalogue and schedule a call with Dr. Clairborne at www.mindremappingacademy.com/corporate-programs