Foundational Awareness-Communication Concepts

Authority Communication, Culture, and Cultural Diversity: Mind Puzzle Exercise

Awareness of Personal “Hot Buttons” and Self-Esteem/Identity Issues

What psychological/emotional issues have you had/still have with authority figures – parents/relatives, teachers, supervisors, etc.?
In what ways have authority figures positively and adversely influenced or impacted your sense of identity, confidence, and competence?
When do you see change more as a “danger” than an “opportunity”?

Four Faces of Anger: a) Constructive-Destructive and b) Purposeful-Spontaneous

Assertion, Hostility, Passion & Rage; illustrate model with workplace application

Four “C”s of Psychological Hardiness: Commitment, Control, Change, and Conditioning

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Seven Strategic Communicational and Relation-Building Tools & Techniques

Four “R”s of PRO – Professional, Reciprocal, & Ongoing – Relating
Respectful, Real, Responsible, and Responsive
Brief Review of Body Language and Nonverbal Communication
Present and Positive vs. Passive or Provocative (Exercise)
The Power of Asking Good Questions --

Key Components and Consequences of Asking Good Questions: Being Humble and Open, Respectfully Share Differences, Affirmation & Trust
Open-Ended vs. Yes or No

Active Listening/Questioning/Feedback Skills: CPRS

Clarification & (Be) Concise
Paraphrase & Pause (Reflective Listening Exercise)
Reaction vs. Response & (Tentatively) Reflect and (Appropriately) Reveal
Strategize & Summarize

The APT Way of Saying “No”: Being Assertive, Positive, & Tactful with Colleagues and Friends

Setting Limits while Still Being a Team PlayerHandling People’s Rejection/Reaction
Are You Able to Disappoint Others When Necessary?
Don’t Over Talk or Over Justify: Weakens Your Position
Reconfirm Your Stance
Effectively Affirming Integrity and Establishing Priorities with Bosses

The Science and Art of “I” vs. “You” Messages and Constructive Confrontations

Danger of Blaming “You”s: Negativity, Sensitivity, Professional Immaturity
Count to Ten and Check Within…When in Doubt, Check Without
Discover an IDEAL Method for Constructive Confrontation

Six Consensus Building Steps, Skills, and Strategies:

Avoid “One Right Way” Thinking and Egoal Posturing
Accept Fact of Loss to Facilitate Options, Emotional Growth, and an Open Mind
Affirm Values, Modify Expectations
Clarify, Discover, or Design a Common Need, Perception, Problem, or Starting Point
Take Time to Create a Diverse Big Picture
Cultivate Communal Good, Goals, and Gain through Sharing Hopes and Fears, Frustration and Pain

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Strategic Conflict Engagement, Collaborative Resolution, and Consensus Building

Keys for Disarming Power Struggles and Critical Aggressors while Building Productive Relations through Constructive Two-Way Feedback, Dialogue, and Partnering


Four “R”s of PRO – Professional, Reciprocal, & Ongoing – Relating
Brief Review of Body Language and Nonverbal Communication
The Power of Asking Good Questions
Active Listening/Questioning/Feedback Skills: CPRS
The APT Way of Saying “No”: Assertive, Positive, and Tactful
The Science and Art of “I” vs. “You” Messages
Six Consensus Building Steps, Skills, and Strategies

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Defusing Power Struggles: Power Struggle Exercise and Six “C” Dynamics

Control
Competition
Change
Cultural Diversity/Competency
Communication Skills
Courage

Power Struggles: Key Communication Skills

Six “C”s of Power Struggles
Drop the Rope
Use the Four Empathic “P”s
Reduce the Status Differential
Be Vital and Vulnerable
Avoid All or None Thinking
“I” vs. “You” Messaging
Ask Good Questions

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Disarming Critical Aggressors: Feedback Exercise and Key Communication Skills

Distinguish Reaction and Response
Distinguish Evoke & Provoke
Replace Blaming “You”s with Affirming “I”s
Learn to Metacommunicate
Does the Critic Have an Agenda?
Take a Time Out
Verbal and Nonverbal Mix: “I’m Not So Sure” Story
Discover an IDEAL Method for Constructive Confrontation

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Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Style Inventory and Exercises

Styles Defined: the Double-Edged Nature of Conflict/Styles
Pros and Cons of My Style
What I Need Others to Understand about My Style
How Would Different Styles Resolve an Interpersonal Conflict Situation?

a) problematic/disruptive office mate, b) autocratic, “know-it-all,” withholding (of recognition), or always negative or complaining, or micro-managing supervisor/manager, c) supervisor frequently changing priorities or deadlines, and d) the challenge of staying connected (and overcoming isolation/moodiness) when telecommuting or “hoteling”

Synergy: Whole/Parts and Parts/Partners

When and How to Bring in Third Party Mediation (Formal or Informal); Reaching Out to EAP

“Share an Embarrassing Moment” Exercise: Recognizing Our Universal Humanity and Strengthening Our Social Standing and Leadership Potential

Encouraging Acceptance, Trust, Camaraderie, and Community Building
Cultural Diversity and Mutual Humanity
Embellish and Playfully “Act Out” Your Story
Distinguish Embarrassment from Humiliation
Life Vest During Sea Change and Protective Armor When Facing Critical Bullets

Develop an Action Plan: a) two or three Issues I will work on, b) how can I enlist a supportive other in an action plan? and c) how might I share what I’ve learned with others?

Mark Gorkin, MSW, LICSW
The Stress Doc ™
301-875-2567
www.stressdoc.com
stressdoc@aol.com
Google blog: http://www.blogger.com/home


Mark Gorkin, the Stress Doc ™, www.stressdoc.com, acclaimed Keynote and Kickoff Speaker, Webinar Presenter, Retreat Leader and Motivational Humorist, is the author of Practice Safe Stress and The Four Faces of Anger. A former Stress & Violence Prevention consultant for the US Postal Service, "The Doc" is a Team Building and Organizational Development Consultant as well as a Critical Incident/Grief Intervention Expert for Business Health Services, a National EAP/OD Company. Mark leads highly interactive, innovative and inspiring programs for corporations and government agencies, including the US Military, on stress and brain resiliency/burnout prevention through humor, change and conflict management, generational communication, and 3 "R" -- Responsible, Resilient & Risk-Taking -- leadership-partnership team building. Email stressdoc@aol.com for his popular free newsletter & info on speaking programs and phone coaching sessions.

Stress Doc Mantra: "Think out of the box, perform outside the curve (the Bell Curve) and be out-rage-ous!"
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Mark Gorkin, MSW, LICSW
The Stress Doc ™

301-875-2567www.stressdoc.com
stressdoc@aol.com

Google blog: http://www.blogger.com/home


Mark Gorkin, the Stress Doc ™, www.stressdoc.com, acclaimed Keynote and Kickoff Speaker, Webinar Presenter, Retreat Leader and Motivational Humorist, is the author of Practice Safe Stress and The Four Faces of Anger. A former Stress & Violence Prevention consultant for the US Postal Service, "The Doc" is a Team Building and Organizational Development Consultant as well as a Critical Incident/Grief Intervention Expert for Business Health Services, a National EAP/OD Company. Mark leads highly interactive, innovative and inspiring programs for corporations and government agencies, including the US Military, on stress and brain resiliency/burnout prevention through humor, change and conflict management, generational communication, and 3 "R" -- Responsible, Resilient & Risk-Taking -- leadership-partnership team building. Email stressdoc@aol.com for his popular free newsletter & info on speaking programs and phone coaching sessions.

Stress Doc Mantra: "Think out of the box, perform outside the curve (the Bell Curve) and be out-rage-ous!"