Month: March 2022

Cooling Hot Buttons

Posted on by Jan Hovrud

Cooling Hot Buttonshot-button Image

Conflict pushes our emotions in many directions.

“Anger” is, after all, just one letter away from “Danger”. Leaders, who are in control and professional, often reflect on their responses before, during and after conflict.

The phrases below represent comments from coaching sessions in which people lost control and used destructive behaviors during conflict at work.

“I was so mad. I was seeing red.”
   “I couldn’t take it anymore and blew up.”
      “S/he really knows which buttons to push.”
         “I went over the edge with anger and just lost it.”

The Conflict Dynamics Profile (CDP) is a tool that gauges hot buttons, as well as, constructive and destructive responses to conflict.

Continue reading “Cooling Hot Buttons” →

LOL in the Workplace

Posted on by Jan Hovrud

LOL in the WorkplaceLOL in the Workplace Image

“Laughter removes the burden of seriousness from the problem, and oftentimes, it’s that very serious attitude that is the problem itself.”

Bob Basso

Laughter and a sense of humor can be powerful antidotes to stress, pain and conflict in the workplace.

Everyone knows that laughter has physical benefits like boosting immunity, lowering blood pressure, relaxing muscles and decreasing pain. But, laughter and a sense of humor also, help to strengthen relationships, enhance teamwork, diffuse conflict and promote group bonding at work.

Continue reading “LOL in the Workplace” →

Networking Takes Planning

Posted on by Jan Hovrud

Networking Takes PlanningProfessional Networking Image

Great networkers use a consistent, planned methodology for success.

According to The 29% Solution-52 Weekly Networking Success Strategies, by Ivan R. Misner and Michelle R. Donovan, professionals should devote at least seven hours per week strictly on networking activities.

Effective networking is not just socializing and attending meetings, it is about building connections and relationships.

Try the following suggestions for planning your networking strategy:

Continue reading “Networking Takes Planning” →

Strategies for Building Communication During Conflict

Posted on by Jan Hovrud

Strategies for Building Communication During ConflictCommunication Conflict Image

“I’m sorry, if you were right, I’d agree with you.”

Robin Williams

One of the first steps toward resolving conflicts is to understand that each of us has power over whether or not a conflict becomes negative. Transforming how we think about conflict can help harness the direction and flow that conflict brings.

Carefully handled conflict can help us to shift from debate to dialogue, being at odds to being in a partnership.

In debate (e.g. position based approaches), we declare our positions.

In dialogue (e.g. interest based approaches), we recognize and satisfy interests with both parties looking for common ground.

Continue reading “Strategies for Building Communication During Conflict” →

Constructive Feedback and Type

Posted on by Jan Hovrud

Constructive Feedback and TypeTime for Feedback Image

As author, Andrew J. DuBrin, states it – “Feedback is information about past behavior, delivered in the present, which might influence future behavior.”

Providing constructive feedback about job performance is a basic responsibility of every leader. Feedback is necessary to help others develop, grow and correct their mistakes.

The MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) can assist in really reaching an understanding and moving people forward in a constructive feedback coaching session.

Use the following suggestions for the type preferences below:

Continue reading “Constructive Feedback and Type” →