Handling Upsets
With as much as a I speak, I frequently end up upsetting somebody!
That is the funny thing about communication.
If you don’t say anything, all sorts of crap can happen to you because didn’t speak up. Yet, if you speak up, you end up either saying something stupid or upsetting someone!
One time I was delivering a management seminar about Customer Service to a room full of various types medical office owners. I asked for an example of a client arriving to the office in pain.
A lady responded and I asked her what type of practice she had? She said a veterinarian office. I responded that I wanted an example of when a person was in pain.
OHHHH MYYYYY GOSHHHH!!! Talk about UPPP-SETTT!
There is a simple trick I learned in surviving 18 years with five sisters! It does no good to assert how right my viewpoint is. Simply look at things from the other person’s viewpoint. How do they see the situation??
So, I had her explain her viewpoint. Then I totally understood that when the pet is in pain, the owner, who is a PERSON, is usually in more pain!!
Upset Resolved!!
To be an effective speaker or an effective leader, I try to listen to my words from the view point of my listener. Some times I will run through several scenarios before finding one that will work. But in doing so, I can create understanding and avert misunderstanding.
And if that doesn’t work and you end up with an upset person. Listen to them. If you don’t know what their viewpoint is, ask them. But you have to LISTEN and GET it. You can’t listen and hold on to your own viewpoint and resolve the upset.
Being able to look at the world through someone else’s eyes is a great ability. Many can’t do it. That is too bad for them.
Because in my experience, if you can’t see the world through someone else eyes….you can’t see the world.