A 3 step framework. In life, there are countless opportunities to have hard conversations. Whether we are confronting a friend who is struggling with unhealthy behaviors, giving a review to someone at work who hasn’t been meeting their benchmarks, or talking to family members about certain high-octane issues, we are never at a loss to engage in a conversation that requires courage. Today our own Dr. Lara Pence talks with Kwame Christan, the Director of the American Negotiation Institute, about his framework for how to have hard conversations. His three-step method will provide you with incredible tools that will equip you with greater courage and confidence in beginning these hard conversations about race, conflict and the importance of getting to the other side of difficult conversations. Right now, racial injustice and the topic of race in general is at the forefront of many discussions. Many are opting in, attempting to navigate their own experience while listening to the community at large. Others are opting out, unsure of what to say, stuck in analysis paralysis, and hesitant to contribute. The truth is, it’s easy to opt out. But we are Spartans. We opt in when it’s difficult. We move towards obstacles. We call in challenges. And this is no different. But it’s helpful to have some tools to get us started. LESSONS Turn passion into persuasion Have the tools to have the conversation Create connection Understand the Compassionate Curiosity Framework Find confidence in conflict Acknowledge + validate emotions Get curious with compassion Engage in joint problem solving Seek to understand Acknowledge your own emotions Learn to respond versus react Look at conflict as an opportunity This episode of Spartan Up is brought to you by DUROLANE, a single injection that may provide up to six months 1 of relief from osteoarthritis knee pain. Risks can include general knee pain and pain at injection site. You can see full prescribing information at DUROLANE.com. LINKS https://americannegotiationinstitute.com/ https://americannegotiationinstitute.com/justice/   TIME STAMPS 0:40 DUROLANE intro 3:00 The other side of difficult conversations 5:00 Where people are getting stuck 6:30 Tools to create connection + have a conversation 8:30 What’s holding us back 11:00 Where to start - The Compassionate Curiosity Framework 12:45 What you can do to create change 14:30 Seeking to understand 15:00 DUROLANE Break 17:00 Moral licensing 20:45 Intent as a guide in conversation 22:00 Calling people out verse calling them in 23:40 The vortex of shame 25:45 The need for people to be understood 27:19 Micro-negotiating 30:00 Addressing concepts with kids + teens 35:00 Tools to practice 38:00 DUROLANE Close SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Google Play: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpPlay FOLLOW SPARTAN UP: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod CREDITS: Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Hosts: Guest Host Dr. Lara Pence Joe De Sena, Sefra Alexandra, Johnny Waite & Colonel Nye are currently social distancing. Synopsis – Dr. L & Sefra Alexandra | Seed Huntress Production Assistant - Andrea Hagarty © 2020 Spartan