Difficult conversations often involve sensitive topics, conflict resolution, or addressing long-avoided issues due to fear or discomfort.
These interactions are typically marked by strong emotions, differing perspectives, and high stakes. Additional characteristics include uncertainty, power imbalances, and significant risks.
This PPT deck provides a comprehensive overview of a framework specifically designed to navigate difficult conversations. Developed by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen, the Difficult Conversations Framework offers a structured approach to managing challenging discussions and resolving misunderstandings in both professional and personal settings.
The Difficult Conversations Framework is built upon 3 foundational components (or layers):
1. What Happened?
• This layer focuses on the factual aspects of the conversation—what occurred, who was involved, and why it happened. It often includes disagreements about events, intentions, and responsibility.
2. Feelings
• This layer focuses on the emotions underlying the issue. Feelings such as frustration, anger, hurt, or fear often intensify the conversation and significantly impact its outcome.
3. Identity
• This layer involves the internal dialogue individuals have about how a situation affects their self-image, values, and sense of competence. It reflects concerns about how others perceive them and their overall sense of self-worth.
Each of these 3 layers is discussed in depth, including common challenges and the tactics to address these challenges. Additional topics discussed include the 3 types of difficult conversations, the 3 foundational principles, a 9-step process to navigating difficult conversations, among other topics.
This PowerPoint presentation on the Difficult Conversations Framework also includes some slide templates for you to use in your own business presentations.
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Source: Best Practices in Corporate Communications, Soft Skills PowerPoint Slides: Difficult Conversations Framework PowerPoint (PPTX) Presentation, LearnPPT Consulting
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