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Welcome to your August issue of Ki Moments. Thank you for subscribing. My goal is to offer brief articles and tips on how to have stronger relationships, communicate more effectively, and transform your "key" moments of conflict into useful and positive energy. Don't hesitate to pass along this e-newsletter! There is a link at the bottom of the page to make it simple. (We never share subscriber information.)
July's Ki Moments began a series of articles on
how to get your point across in difficult
conversations. The first step was Finding
Your Voice by understanding your goal for the
conversation. This month, we'll focus on Step 2:
Understanding Your Adversary's Goals. And in
September, Step 3 will suggest ways to Frame
Your Message so that it can be heard and acted
upon. Good Ki!  Judy Ringer
Most of the time, your eagerness to get your point across guarantees that you won't. It seems the harder you push to be heard, the harder they push back. How do you create a willing listener? It's easy: be one. Being heard is exactly what the other person wants, too. So give what you would like to receive and see what happens. In aikido, I physically align with my partner as he attacks. I move to face the same direction, unite with the attack energy, and redirect it toward mutual safety and resolution. We become partners in a flowing, cooperative dance. In a difficult conversation when I want to get my point across, I create alignment through "Not-Knowing." I pretend I don't know anything about this person or their goals (I actually don't), and I try to learn what's important to them, what they're really going for, and how what I'm offering might fit with their goals. I enter the Land of Not-Knowing. When I remember how absolutely little I know about this other human being, I relax for a moment. I become interested. It's quite a lovely place to be: undemanding, stress-free, a place of no expectations. I get to just sit there and be a learner, a child at play. Why do I need to pretend I know everything anyway? How to do it? The easiest way to move from critic to curious is to ask a question you don't know the answer to. Get the person talking about something they love to talk about - even if it's the opposite of what you want or believe. Watch their expression, listen to their voice, and notice how they change when they can talk without worrying about being stopped or judged. To listen without judgment is an amazingly powerful skill, even more powerful when you don't agree with the speaker. Observe what happens when you find this power. Remember that listening does not equal agreement, and that you will have a chance to deliver your message, too, possibly with more success now that you've heard what's important to your partner. Framing your message will be the subject of September's Ki Moments. Stay tuned!
Our goal in conscious communication is not to change
the other person ... Our goal is to establish
connection.
Nothing fosters change like reinforcing and practicing new skills. Register early for these fall and winter workshops offered by Power & Presence Training:
Visit judyringer.com for details and registration information.
Judy Ringer Judy Ringer is Founder of Power & Presence Training, a Portsmouth, NH company specializing in unique workshops to help you and your organization manage conflict, communicate effectively, and co-create a more positive work environment. E-mail Judy at judy@judyringer.com for a free initial meeting to discuss your training needs. Ki (from Ai-ki-do) is Japanese for life energy. Ki Moments is a complimentary monthly "e-zine" with tips and how-to articles to help you manage the key moments in your life. If you enjoy our news and stories, feel free to share them with friends or colleagues. Use our "FORWARD" link below to pass it along with our thanks!
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