Communication Essentials – POSTWORK Page 1

Communication Essentials – POSTWORK

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 I. POSTWORK
Case Study: Describe a current situation that you will likely have a difficult conversation about.
Provide as much detail about the scenario as you can.

Based on the situation above, put together a plan on how you will communicate.
a. Walk through the three conversations

The “What Happened” Conversation

Think about the conversation you are going to have. What do you see as a challenge in having
this conversation?

Put yourself in the other person’s situation and construct a sympathetic and reasonable version
of their side of the story

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 What do you see as your contribution to the problem? How might you change your
contribution?

The Feelings Conversation

What are the emotions that you will likely be feeling while having this conversation?

What emotions will the other person likely feel?

Write how you would share your feelings without judging, attributing, or blaming.

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 The Identity Conversation
How might your self-image be shaken in having this conversation?

How are you going to regain your balance when you experience an “identity quake”?

b. Shifting to a learning conversation

Deciding whether to raise the issue

What will be your criteria for deciding whether to have this difficult conversation?

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 If you decide not to raise the issue, how will you cope with the thoughts and feelings you have
so they do not fester?

Begin from the Third Story

Write down how you would start the conversation from the third story.

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