Maureen Collins's Blog

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Maureen Collins's Blog
	Description: Handling difficult conversations in our professional and personal lives without damaging relationships

Nov 27

Family squabbles

Published in family relationships by Maureen Collins | Comment (0)

Every family has them!

There’s scarcely a family that, at one time or another, has not had to deal with a squabble between family members. As the holiday season approaches and more family gatherings take place, there is a danger that these squabbles can become full scale wars.

The classical problems with in-laws are probably the most well known, and certainly the most talked about: mothers-in-law who won’t accept new sons or daughters–in-law; the new spouse who clearly won’t ever fit in with the rest of the family; the person who sides with their new partner and becomes distanced from the rest of the family.

Nov 26

There’s an elephant in the room!

Published in speaking up, avoiding confrontation by Maureen Collins | Comment (0)

How many of us are in relationships where something is not being said?

It may be at work where someone’s lack of energy or commitment is driving you crazy but you have not said anything. Or it could be a colleague who complains continually about his or her personal life and you put up with their behaviour. Maybe you have family members – in laws, step children, siblings - who treat you with disrespect and you don’t know how to deal with them. Are there issues you are unhappy about in your relationship with your spouse or partner that you choose not to talk about?

Sometimes the issues we avoid talking about are relatively minor. Sometimes they are huge! I

Nov 14

How am I doing?

Published in performance management, performance appraisals, handling conflict by Maureen Collins | Comment (0)

That’s the question we would all like an honest answer to!

But how many of us feel that we get it; and how many of us as supervisors and managers can say that we truly and without exception, give our people honest answers?

Managers dread the annual performance appraisal interview. It’s time consuming. It can involve conflict. The

Nov 08

Conversational styles that don't work

Published in talking too much, one way communication, make conversations safe, listening, giving feedback, gaining commitment by Maureen Collins | Comment (0)

Conversational styles that don’t work

It’s fascinating how much one can learn about people and the culture of their organisations by listening to the conversations they hold.

There’s the manager who has been around for a while, knows his job and can see a mistake at ten paces. His conversations are short, sharp and one way. Don’t look to him for encouragement or positive feedback. He will tell you what has gone wrong, and exactly what he wants you to do to fix it. All he requires in return is your nod of understanding and commitment. He and his organisation pride

Nov 07

10 tips for making difficult conversations safe

Published in own your feelings, make conversations safe, listen, improve relationships, difficult conversations by Maureen Collins | Comment (0)

Difficult conversations happen to everyone. The more emotion that is involved, the more likely it is that the conversation ends in a blame game, wild accusations, tears and anger. Everyone retreats into silence, only to have the whole thing erupt at some later time

Nov 07

Mistakes we make in difficult conversations

Published in talking too much, listening, giving feedback, gaining commitment, emotional arguments, difficult conversations, damaging relationships, blaming by Maureen Collins | Comment (0)

We face difficult conversations every day. They can be with our children, our parents, family

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