How do I use Habit #4 Think Win-Win? Think Win-Win is a habit that will help your
relationships If you can make this a habit, your
relationships will improve - really! You will be able to deal with issues,
problems, arguments, etc more effectively and most importantly…keep both yourself and the people around you happy!
“Win – Lose” – The Totem PolePeople with this attitude usually:
Use other people, emotionally or physically, for their own selfish purposes
Try to get ahead at the expense of others
Spread rumors about others Concentrate on getting their own
way without thinking about others’ feelings
Become jealous and envious when something good happens to someone else
“Lose – Win” – The Doormat
People with this attitude usually: Set low expectations for themselves Have low self-esteem and never
consider themselves worthy or good enough
Compromise their standards over and over again
Give in to peer pressure Allow themselves to be walked on
with the excuse of being the “peacemaker”
Is there a time when a Lose-Win attitude is fine?
“Lose – Lose” – The Downward SpiralPeople with this attitude usually:
Seek revenge Desire to win at all costs Are obsessed with others
in a negative manner Have codependent and
emotionally damaging relationships
“Win – Win” – The All You Can Eat Buffet
People with this attitude usually:
Are happy when others succeed
Help others succeed Think “Abundance” Are willing to share
recognition with others
See life as an All-you-can-eat buffet for everybody
When do we need to “Think Win-Win?” When we are playing
sports, games, etc. When we need to work as
a group When we need to address
problems in our relationships
Really - we need win-win for most of our human interactions.
Difficult Conversations In relationships,
communication and conversations must happen.
When we feel strongly about something, we sometimes need to have difficult conversations.
Who really wants to have a difficult conversation? Think of a time
when you have. Was the outcome
good? Why? Why not?
Difficult conversations are a fact of life In your personal and work life
you will have to have difficult conversations.
Entering into a difficult conversation with a win/lose, lose/win, lose/lose mindset will guarantee failure.
Entering into a difficult conversation as a learning experience and a chance for you to get a different perspective on an issue will ensure “success”.
Five Tips for entering into difficult conversations.
1. WHAT DO I WANT TO HAPPEN AS A RESULT OF THE CONVERSATION?
What is the outcome that you want?
Do you really need to say something?
Do you want to find out what the person thinks?
Do you want the person to stop doing something?
Keep the conversation moving towards your goal of the conversation.
2. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE I WANT TO COMMUNICATE?
The “why” behind your conversation
Be specific and include only the most important reasons
Be careful not to bring up other factors or issues other than what you are speaking about
3. AM I FOCUSED ON THE TOPIC OR EMOTION?
An issue that is important to us will involve feelings. However, if you get emotional it will prevent effective communication
Stay calm and neutral while speaking
Stay focused on the content and facts that support your request.
4. WHAT IS THE RIGHT TIME AND PLACE?
When both of you have time to discuss
Make an appointment if necessary/or set up a time to meet.
Choose a place with no distractions or other people.
5. WHAT IS THE OTHER PERSON’S PERSPECTIVE?
Consider the other person’s feelings and paradigms
Ask if they understand what you’re saying or if they have any questions.
Be sure to listen when the other person is talking.
Ask questions. Decide on a Win-Win
solution together
What are some difficult conversations you may need to have with a friend?
1.________________________2.________________________3.________________________
Let’s go back through the 5 steps and use one of these as an example: You find out from a friend that someone
has been spreading a rumor about you and you are incredibly upset.
You’ve let a new band member into your band, but you realize that he/she is not as good as you thought they were. They think they are great.
A friend has been smoking dope for the last 6 months and he/she doesn’t think she has a problem, but their life is starting to revolve around when they are going to get their next joint.