CrucialSkills, the official VitalSmarts blog
Helping you change behavior by answering your questions about soft skills.
I have a 27-yr-old daughter who ventured out into the world two years ago and she is demonstrating some very dangerous behavior. Recently she started visiting not dating sites, but the most dangerous booty call sites. She is publishing suggestive videos and refuses to acknowledge the dangers. What rights does a parent have to save a child from her bad choices?
I work with a Miss Know-It-All. When we’re in meetings she doesn’t listen to anyone’s ideas and is just plain disrespectful. I respect her position, but I have zero respect for her personally. Recently I decided I would give her the benefit of the doubt and listen to what she has to say to see if it holds water. Unfortunately, because I have had such longstanding disdain for this person, I’m finding it very difficult to give her the benefit of the doubt. I’m not sure what to do. I hear her voice in meetings and it reminds me of fingernails on a chalkboard. I have often said I would like a house to fall on her. I want to change, but I’m unsure how to. Can you give me some guidance, please?
My house is the place family chooses to gather for the holiday. This Thanksgiving I wanted to make sure everyone was safe so I told them we would not be having a family gathering. The family showed up anyway, each with a reason why it was okay for them to come. How do you lovingly shut the door to uninvited guests who are putting you at risk?
I have a few employees who are unhappy with the change in our government’s administration and they tend to be very outspoken. I believe people shouldn’t discuss politics in the workplace, especially if they’re just voicing opinions to someone who hasn’t asked for them. How should I address this with the people in my office so we can continue to work together peacefully?
How do you deal with people who have not just a different opinion, but a dangerous one? I’m referring to those who believe in conspiracy theories or other misinformation about Covid-19. Their opinions lead to behavior that puts others at risk.
Dear Emily, I’ve used the techniques from Crucial Conversations in both personal and business situations with success but am now faced with the most critical conversation ever and I don’t know what to do. My husband has become increasingly enmeshed in politics. He is almost blindly devoted to Donald Trump […]
Dear Joseph, How should I respectfully approach a co-worker about her pungent perfume? I can tell she’s been down the hall even after she’s been gone for five or ten minutes. The scent lingers and is foul to me; after encountering it I begin to feel nauseous. She’s a very […]
Dear Scott, I am in the process of training a coworker. When I give her an assignment, she gives me a snarky reason why she can’t do it. I have been trying to help her with time-management. When I give reasons for what I am asking, she says I’m mothering […]
