Courageous Communication – Strengthen your Resiliency
In episode 167 of the Vet Staff Podcast, host Julie South delves into the importance of courageous communication as a key component in strengthening your resilience quotient.
This episode is #10 in the series focused on developing secret superpowers, with a particular emphasis on building resilience in the veterinary profession.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the crucial tips and insights shared by Julie South, offering actionable strategies for developing courageous communication skills to enhance resilience in your professional and personal life.
Courageous Communication for Resilience at Work
In the veterinary profession, where challenges and high-pressure situations are commonplace, having strong resilient qualities is essential for maintaining well-being and performing at your best.
The ability to engage in courageous communication plays a vital role in fortifying your resilience quotient. Julie South emphasises how courageous communication enables individuals to navigate tough conversations effectively, contributing to increased resilience in the face of setbacks.
“This helps stop mole hills becoming mountains. This is where small issues become big problems.” [00:04:43]
Choosing the Right Approach and Setting
Before engaging in courageous conversations, it’s crucial to set the stage for success.
As Julie emphasised in the podcast, the right time and place must be chosen to ensure that both parties are fully engaged and prepared for the dialogue.
Communicating openly, honestly, and with care sets the tone for productive discussions, ultimately strengthening the relationship between parties involved.
“Always choose the right time in the right place.” [00:06:49]
Positive Start and Effective Focus
Initiating courageous conversations with a positive statement can significantly impact the trajectory of the exchange.
Starting the dialogue with an affirming tone makes the other person more receptive to the upcoming discussion, fostering an environment where both parties can address the issue at hand constructively.
“Start with a positive statement. This helps set the tone for the conversation and makes the other person, or helps the other person be more receptive to what you have to say.” [00:07:44]
Active Listening for Effective Communication
As Julie South advocates, active listening is an essential component of courageous communication.
Actively engaging with the speaker, understanding their perspective, and responding thoughtfully can lead to meaningful and respectful exchanges.
When you allow the other party to express their thoughts without interruption and demonstrate genuine interest, you create an environment conducive to open dialogue.
“When the other person’s speaking, make sure that you listen with both ears.” [00:08:30]
Respectful Resolution and Preparedness
Courageous communication often involves navigating challenging conversations where emotions may run high.
In such instances, being prepared to acknowledge and respectfully address differing perspectives can lead to productive resolutions. If the conversation veers off track or becomes unproductive, being open to taking a break and reconvening when both parties are calmer and more composed can be instrumental in finding a mutually beneficial solution.
“Be willing to walk away if the conversation becomes too heated.” [00:10:30]
Effective Responses for Steered Conversations
Equipping yourself with statements or responses for steering conversations back on track can empower you to navigate challenging dialogues with confidence.
By employing phrases that maintain focus on the issue at hand, acknowledge the other person’s perspective, and seek a mutual understanding, you can actively guide the conversation toward a productive and respectful resolution.
“When you’ve got a few of those statements up your sleeve, ones that feel right for you with your words, then having courageous conversations isn’t quite so scary.” [00:15:58]
Some of Julie’s recommended responses
Here’re a few phrases you can use – depending on the situation you find yourself in.
All of these statements are self-explanatory and because you’re an adult, I’m not going to explain when you might use them – you’ll know!
- “I understand that you’re feeling frustrated, but I’d like to focus on the issue at hand.“
- “I’m not comfortable or “I’m uncomfortable” continuing this conversation if we’re not going to be able to focus on the issue.” Or if we keep getting off-topic……….
- “I’m glad you brought that up. Can we “park” that / talk about it / after we’ve had a chance to discuss the issue at hand?”
- “I’m not sure how that’s relevant to the issue we’re discussing.”
- “I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying. Can you please clarify?” “can you explain that in a different way…?”
- “I’m not sure I agree with you, but I’m willing to listen / listen to your perspective.”
- “I appreciate your perspective / take / viewpoint. Let’s try to find a solution that works for both of us.”
- “I’m not sure we’re going to be able to resolve this issue right now. Let’s take a break and come back to it later.” “It looks like we’re not getting very far right now, let’s take a break …..”
Conclusion:
In summary, developing and honing courageous communication skills is pivotal for enhancing resilience in the veterinary profession and beyond.
By incorporating the actionable strategies and insights shared by Julie South in this episode, veterinary professionals can empower themselves to engage in courageous conversations effectively, fostering resilience and fortitude in the face of challenges.
Strengthening resilient communication skills not only benefits individual well-being but also contributes to building cohesive and supportive professional environments.
Book mentioned by Julie South – recommended reading:
Never Split the Difference – Negotiate Like Your Life Depended on it – book by Chris Voss
Review of book – episode 22 (when the Vet Staff Podcast was “Paws Claws Wet Noses“)
Negotiating Like A Pro – Never Split the Difference
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
VetClinicJobs – where good employers shine online and people who’re looking for their next job can find them.
Other Vet Staff Episodes Worth Listening to
ep 157 – Resiliency Quotient – pt 1
ep 158 – Resiliency Quotient – pt 2
Ep 159 – Resiliency Quotient – pt 3
EP 160 – Resiliency Quotient – pt 4
Ep 161 – Resiliency Quotient – pt 5
Ep 162 – Resiliency Quotient – pt 6
Ep 163 – Resiliency Quotient – pt 7
Ep 164 – Resiliency Quotient – pt 8
Ep 165 – Resiliency Quotient – pt 9
ep 39 – 12 Statements Low EQ People Make
ep 40 – Emotional Intelligence – 6 Ways to Lead as an Emotionally Intelligent Leader
ep 145 – Exploring Social Intelligence – A Key to Personal and Professional Development
VetClinicJobs
where good vet clinic employers shine online and jobseekers go to find them
