CPR For Confrontations


Do you ever avoid confrontations?

Maybe the better question is, “How often do you avoid confrontations?” When I was a manager, there was an individual who routinely shouted at colleagues, had outbursts of anger when she didn’t get her way, snapped at clients when they phoned the office and physically intimidated others.

As a leader it was my responsibility to do something about her behaviour.

Yikes! Would pretending I didn’t see the behaviour help it go away? Isn’t that what most leaders do?

Here’s what typically happens:

When leaders decide to do something about problem behaviour, they tend to use the Groundhog Day Approach (from the movie “Groundhog Day”). Even though an issue keeps recurring, the leader discusses each instance as though it’s the first time it has ever occurred. They then live the same problem over and over and nothing ever changes! (And others re-live the problem over and over too!) You’ve seen or lived this, haven’t you? You don’t need me to tell you, it doesn’t work. Here’s what does work.

Know What Conversation to Have!

You can’t have a successful conversation and outcome if you don’t address the proper issue.

Use a CPR Approach

(from “Crucial Confrontations”)

Content

  • First time there’s a problem you address the Content.
  • An employee is late, the discussion is then focused on arriving late to work.

Pattern

  • Next time it happens, it isn’t about being late, it’s about the Pattern.
  • These conversations indicate there has been a history of the problem.
  • “This is the 2nd time you’ve been late. You made an agreement it wouldn’t happen again and now I’m concerned that I can’t rely on you to keep your word.”

Relationship

  • If the problem continues, you then move to the Relationship conversation.
  • This is a much bigger conversation because it is about lack of trust in the relationship.
  • “This is really affecting our working relationship. I have to keep speaking to you about arriving on time. It’s gotten to the point where I can’t trust what you say you will do.”

Knowing what conversation to have will definitely improve your communication success AND it will make the conversation very clear to the employee. It only works though, if you apply it!

To Your Success

Barb

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WHAT CLIENTS SAY


  • Our workshop participants found Barb’s approach to teaching at the Centre for Professional Development to be dynamic and engaging.  Barb not only taught effective communication and presentation skills, but also role modelled techniques throughout the day. Participants were excited to be able to apply learning’s directly into their day to day roles

    Leasa Knechtel

    Associate Director at the Centre for Professional Development, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto.


  • Your plenary session was a real asset and a great contribution to the success of our National IPAC Conference. From beginning to end participants were energized and actively engaged.

     

    Gwyneth Meyers BSc, MSc, PhD

    Scientific Committee Chair


  • “The workshop was wonderful!! Barb walked the talk by continuously demonstrating the tips and skills she was teaching! It was amazing to see it all come together. I would recommend the workshop to anyone who has to present.”

    Bev Waite, Education Lead-Nursing,

    Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre


  • I told one of the nurse educators that it was the best 3 hours I have spent in a training session as the content was clear, relevant, exactly enough to be able to incorporate into presentations, and you demonstrated each point which was great. It was watching an expert at work.

    Aideen Carroll, Advanced Practice Nurse Educator

    Toronto General Hospital


  • Your workshop was also a big hit. It was interesting to hear people talk about it as not good, but great.

    Debbie Ross

    CMP Manager of Governance and Events CNA


  • After working with Barb, our team returned to work energized, enthused and inspired to utilize tools that increase our communication, clarity and relationship with not only each other, but also with the residents and families that we serve. I would highly recommend Barb if you want to bring out the best in your team.

    Dale Clements, Administrator

    Columbus Residence


  • Barb Langlois led a wonderful one day workshop for 45 Clinical Nurse Educators in Saskatoon Health Region. She worked with us in advance to really understand our learning needs, Six months later, I see CNEs using Barb’s techniques to engage learners and I use them myself in my own presentations. I strongly recommend Barb – she is a very skilled facilitator who connects with learners in a very meaningful and effective way.

    Margot Hawke RN, BSN, MCEd, Nursing Professional Practice Lead

    Saskatoon Health Region

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