Work on a relationship before conflict escalates

Read when disagreement is turning into judgments about a person or a contest to win.

What to compare

Examine trust, how a response is received and the conditions for cooperation.

1 / 3
Yan Yuan: humane conduct and trust
Consider conduct toward others through the discussions of humanity and trust.
A question to follow
Are you observing the conduct you require of the other person?
2 / 3
Softness overcoming hardness
Read softness and strength as a way to consider possible responses.
A question to follow
Could the issue or speaking order be changed instead of pushing back?
3 / 3
Gong Sun Chou II: cohesion and roles
Use cohesion as an entry to conditions under which cooperation can hold.
A question to follow
Before asking for agreement, have shared aims and burdens been discussed?

Separate the issue, shared aims, non-negotiable boundaries and conditions for the next conversation.

Maintaining a relationship does not require accepting harm or discrimination. Prioritize necessary advice and protection.

3 readings
Choose how to compete before committing
Read conditions, objectives and alliances before choosing a price cut or another feature.
3 readings
Connect learning to understanding and checking
When collecting knowledge stalls, distinguish learning, reflection and checking.
3 readings
Decide what to delegate and how to support it
Read these chapters when delegation keeps turning into more instructions.
3 readings
Review evaluation standards and how to explain them
When an evaluation lacks acceptance, separate judgments about people, procedures and allocation.
3 readings
Choose what to change and what to retain
When initiatives and rules keep growing, read through addition, reduction and sequence.
3 readings
Make decisions while keeping unknowns visible
Consider decisions with incomplete information through known facts, unknowns and postponement.
3 readings
Carry work through to a sustainable finish
Distinguish prolonged work, missing support and gaps in completion.

Sources