Category Archives: Confrontation

Exploring the Inner Frontier, Part 1

How to Create and Maintain Healthy Workplace Boundaries -- part 1 of 3 By Daniel Robin "So what happened to you? It’s like you’ve gone M.I.A. … missing for weeks…." "My job ate my life," Tom sighed, as the two high-tech workers sipped their half-decaf cappuccinos. Katie asks politely, "May I offer a suggestion? Push back a little. Your life is more important." "Yeah, but I’m actually Continue Reading ...

Why is Not the Question (nor is it the answer)

By Daniel Robin Kevin and Denise have learned how to fight. With comments like "How could you ...?!" and "I hate it when you do that," they share little more than a difference of opinion. If we ask them "why" they are fighting, we will probably hear "because he's being a jerk" or "because she won't listen to reason." That response explains only the cause of the fight, but not its purpose. A more Continue Reading ...

The Gentle Art of Confrontation

By Daniel Robin When you have a difficult message to convey to someone, how do you get them to listen non-defensively? This article explores methods of delivering so-called "bad news" with maximum effectiveness and minimum offensiveness. Consider the following situation at the office: a co-worker consistently deflects, resists, or lashes back each time you initiate an Continue Reading ...

Anger Management Self-Assessment

How often do you find yourself using these five strategies for dealing with anger? Rate each statement on the left using a scale from 1 to 10 (1 = never, 10 = every time): Score Approach Increase Decrease DIRECT: I get angry and decide to "go off" (express anger or the fact that you are angry) right on the spot. REFLECTIVE: I take time to reflect on Continue Reading ...

Initiating and Sustaining Change at Work: Part 3

Organizational Pathways:  Strategies for Leading Change By Daniel Robin This is the third installation in a three-part series on dealing with workplace change. So far we've explored personal strategies (Part 1) and interpersonal strategies (Part 2) to help make transitions less stressful and more humane; this article dives into how organizations can use the change process to effectively manage Continue Reading ...

When to Engage, When not to Engage

by Daniel Robin Ever notice that with some people you can sit and rationally discuss how differently you see things, and nobody gets hurt? It might even be fun! Yet, with others, particularly those closest to us, the small stuff quickly becomes big stuff. What makes the difference? When you think back on the successful disagreements you've had in your life (you know, the ones that ended without Continue Reading ...