I recently attended a discussion on Intelligent Design, and the host reminded us at the beginning what a controversial subject it is and to take our own temperature before we participated. She used the analogy of a meat thermometer…the kind that pops out when the meat is done. Well, she said if anyone got to heated/hot over their opinion, she’d yell out “the roast is burning!” We all laughed.
What a GREAT way to measure how we are doing…in any conversation. Most arguments or conflicts are a result of not getting our way or someone not seeing our view point. We have a clash of ideas, desires, values, etc. If we monitor our temperature and are aware that “our roast may burn” if we aren’t careful, we could defuse some situations before they even start. Besides, who likes burned meat?
My book, Leveraging Your Communication Style, helps you build bridges, not walls. It gives strategies for reducing and avoiding conflict by understanding others better and adapting your communication to fit them. Find out your communication style with my exclusive assessment!
