The ability to handle conflict in a professional manner is an important leadership skill. This presentation gives practical wisdom and steps that can be used to help take away the dread that may come when a leaders knows they need to handle a situation that could be "less than splendid." This deck was designed for Early Childhood Professionals but could be used by professionals within an discipline.

1. Lisa Fields & Associates
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2. Having the Tough
Conversations
without the
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4. Smart Start of Davidson County
Early Childhood Professional Educators Conference
March 26, 2011
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5. Why Me?
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6. Introductions
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7. 3 Learning Objectives:
Describe respectful ways to communicate in a
manner that is beneficial to both parties.
Use easy methods to discuss “sensitive” topics.
List 3 methods to establish healthy boundaries.
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8. I will not accept The Jerry Springer Show behavior.
Period
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9. Unfortunately, we see it so often.
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10. I’m the “No Drama Momma.”
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11. Respectful ways to
communicate
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12. I need to remember:
Different Stories: We each see the
world differently.
We have different information.
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13. I need to remember
We have different interpretations.
We are influenced by past experiences.
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15. Method to Discuss
“Sensitive” Topics
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16. This is a Pattern
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17. Different Fabrics
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18. But still a Dress
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19. When People & Turtles feel endangered
what do they do?
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20. They Hide
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21. or
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22. They might Snap
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23. My Student
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24. What to do?
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25. Time for the Pattern.
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27. Don’t use this when:
When a person is under the influence of
Alcohol & or other Drugs.
When a person has serious, chronic
mental illness and they are not presently
stable.
When a person is presenting domestic
violence patterns.
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28. Let’s Go!
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29. When you....
Short, Sweet, Specific
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30. I’m
(The Feeling)
The word Concerned works nicely
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31. Because
(The Thinking)
This explains the Feeling
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32. So,....
(Ask for what you want)
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33. This is what I said:
When you pull your shirt up to here
I’m concerned
Because I’m having a hard time
concentrating and I really want to Listen to
you
So, could you put your shirt down?
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34. Practice makes Perfect
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35. Knowing when
Enough is Enough
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36. When children see adults with little
or no boundaries our work
becomes so challenging.
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37. People with healthy boundaries have
developed an identity separate and
distinct from others and are not
dependent upon others to nurture their
personal and spiritual growth.
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38. “I’m not going to have a discussion with the
Grandmother regarding the words she used
and how she pointed her finger in my face
even though she did this in front of the
children in our classroom.
I want her to like me.”
“It’s just not worth going down this road.”
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39. “I didn’t ask one of my questions during
our training because I didn’t want the
teacher/class to think I was stupid”
“I thought I made a really great
connection with those parents, but they
didn’t say speak to me when I saw them
in the mall.”
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40. Find out from your boss
what behavior you will
or will not accept.
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41. Identify when the problem is
“theirs” and when the problem
is ours.
“I didn’t cause the problem and
I’m trying to help.”
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43. Lessons Learned.
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44. Thank you for the work you are doing to
help create smart, healthy and wise children.
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