Business Management Consulting Blog

Fight or Flight

When emotions are running high, our natural tendency is to speed up. Why? Because adrenaline is flooding our system and we are in pure fight-or-flight mode. The authors of “Crucial Conversations” put it this way: Countless generations of genetic shaping drives humans to handle crucial conversations with flying fists and fleet feet, not intelligent persuasion… Continue reading Fight or Flight

Sneaky Thoughts

It can be hard to separate our thoughts from our feelings about a situation, especially an emotionally charged conflict situation. We can be quick to feel, quick take offense, and quick to respond. All feelings and emotions are reactions to things that we think. The graphic below illustrates how we typically respond to stimuli, and… Continue reading Sneaky Thoughts

5 Methods of Handling Conflict

How do you respond to conflict? Are you quick to anger? Quick to give in? Do you avoid the situation altogether? Do you try to meet someone halfway, giving up a little in the hopes that your gain will be worth the sacrifice? Everyone responds to conflict differently, and our responses can often be merely… Continue reading 5 Methods of Handling Conflict

Conflict: The Emotional Component

The workplace is a blending of cultures, minds, ambitions, and understanding. As people with various backgrounds and opinions try to reach mutual goals, there are bound to be times when “blending” will get difficult and opinions will turn into disagreements and inter-office conflict. Daniel Dana, president of Dana Mediation Institute, is an internationally renowned conflict… Continue reading Conflict: The Emotional Component

Your Words Say Yes, But Your Actions…

In today’s world of Skype, texting, and rapid-fire emails, we often forget ourselves in personal conversations. When we speak indirectly through technology, we don’t have to worry about our posture, our body language, or that we are thumb-fiddlers. But when faced with a physical run-in, we must remember that communication isn’t only about words. Our… Continue reading Your Words Say Yes, But Your Actions…

Strategy: Meet Monkey Wrench

Humans. We’re always getting in the way of our own success.  Even after defining your unique and successful strategy, human variables frequently enter into the equation and can derail strategy in three major circumstances: 1) When you compete to be “the best.” Competing to be the best is not nearly as effective as aiming to… Continue reading Strategy: Meet Monkey Wrench