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Tip 533: Don't ignore questions to avoid confrontation. |
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When people ask questions on controversial issues or make statements that you disagree with, it might be easier to ignore them and the issues rather than to risk a confrontationeasier, but not best. Giving no response at all leaves the other person feeling slapped in the face. Instead, state your disagreement generally and then change the subject if you want to avoid the issue. Example: "Roberto's comments were really out of line in the meeting this morning, don't you think?" Answer: "Actually, I thought what he said was appropriate. But I haven't given it much thought since the meeting. I've been really involved in that project due tomorrow. I'm working on . . ." |
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Tip 534: Give multiple answers without claiming any as your own. |
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If someone asks you the best way to solve a problem, you can toss out several possible solutions without committing to the one you prefer. Example: "How do you think we can guarantee to the customer that we will not miss any interim deadline on this multiyear project?" Answer: "One way might be to cotrain a backup crew. Or we might want to use a subcontractor during certain phases and run the work in tandem. Or we might ask the customer to supply liaisons at crucial decision points. We've got several options." |
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Tip 535: Fog the issue with an irrelevant point. |
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If you don't intend to give a clear, straightforward answer, you can confuse the issue by bringing up an irrelevant point with a statement or question of your own. Example: "Why does this community refuse to approve a sales tax increase that would support the kind of parks and recreational facilities the citizens seem to want?" Answer: "Some people cannot understand the need to plan for the futurethey don't even have their own retirement savings plans. How can you expect them to plan for the city?" Example: "Do you think the flextime policy will be a big morale booster for the staff?" Answer: "The snarled traffic will still be the biggest problem in their getting to work on time." |
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Tip 536: If you intend to be clear, ask for explicit confirmation and feedback. |
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Simply because you give an answer doesn't mean that the answer was understood, even if you conclude it with something like "Is that clear?" or "Do you |
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