Conflicting Values
Republicans fight Democrats. Greenpeace fights big business. You might wrestle with a boss, spouse, coworkers, employees, parents or children. At some level, they are being difficult because they don't have the same values as you do. Are YOU being difficult? What are the core values that most people hold?
• People and relationships
• Places - where you live, work, travel, etc.
• Activities - sports, exercise, getting things done.
• Knowledge - learning
• Things - houses, cars, boats, planes, furniture, etc. Lifestyle.
If you go on vacation and your spouse wants to read a book, but you want to skydive or parasail or scuba dive, each of you will view the other person as "difficult." If your coworker is only working to buy the house or car of their dreams and you value relationships at work, there's going to be conflict. How do you overcome these differences in values? Simple.
Seek First To Understand
As Stephen Covey said in the Seven Habits of Highly Successful People, one of you has to take the time to understand the other's values. Once you understand what the other person values, then you can frame any communication so that it matches their needs, not yours.
How do you find out what a person values? It simple. Ask them this question: What's important to you about (work, vacation, a house, a home, a marriage)? The context (i.e., the where and when) will allow the other person to focus their answer on what they value in that area of their life.
Ask anyone this question about work, and you'll get a variety of answers (each one representing one or two core values):
• I like the people I work with. I get to meet new people.
• I like working downtown, out of doors, etc.
• I'm always in motion. I'm never trapped in a cubicle.
• I learn something new every day.
• I get to have the lifestyle I want.
Then you can adjust your discussion to include your values, but tailor them to lead with their values as well:
• You might consider XYZ company because you'd get to meet a lot more new people and expand your knowledge.
• Denver might be a great place to live and work because the downtown area is booming and the chance to get out of doors to hike, camp and ski are tremendous.
• There's lots of activities on Maui and while you're out jet skiing, I can hang out by the pool and read a novel.
• The learning opportunities in this job are second to none, and you'll get to work with some top notch people.
• This job will allow you to live the life you've always dreamed in a place that's great for kids.
Pacing and Leading
This method is called pacing and leading. First you pace their values by framing the conversation in their values; then you lead them to how their values will support yours. When you learn their values and use pacing and leading, you'll discover that those "difficult" people aren't quite so difficult after all.
Rather than get upset by a so-called "difficult" person, you might consider getting curious. How can they think like that? What are they thinking? What must be important to them?
Values Archeology
As you get some practice at this, you'll start to notice that people's values become obvious. People who love people like to mingle, network, entertain. People who love where they live will just relax in the presence of mountains, ocean, beach, desert or wherever they feel most comfortable. Activities people will carry a gym bag to work. Knowledge people often tote around a non-fiction book or check out the news on the internet. People who love things will dress better than most, drive a clean status car, and live in better neighborhoods.
People are always living their values. All you have to do is notice. When you have a guess about their values, ask them about it. If it's a high value, their face will light up and they'll tell you all about it.
Take the time to discover the values of the key people in your life. Then use pacing and leading to connect with them on a deeper level. You'll be surprised how quickly those difficult people become easier to live with.
A word about manipulation: Many people worry that this will be manipulative. Here's my take on it. If you're doing it to further the relationship and achieve both of your outcomes, it's not manipulation; it's a caring way to live. If you're doing it just to advance your own interests, it's manipulation and the other person will see right through it and become even more difficult. It's up to you how it works.
http://www.qimacros.com/
http://www.lssmb.com/
Jay Arthur is a well-known expert in Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma. Jay helps teams understand their communication styles and restore broken connections. Jay has 30 years experience developing software on everything from mainframes to PCs.
Jay sells QI Macros, books, consulting services related to Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma. He has a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Arizona in Engineering, and a Master's Degree from Rutgers. He is a member of the National Speakers Association, Association for Software Quality and many other organizations.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6375114
Republicans fight Democrats. Greenpeace fights big business. You might wrestle with a boss, spouse, coworkers, employees, parents or children. At some level, they are being difficult because they don't have the same values as you do. Are YOU being difficult? What are the core values that most people hold?
• People and relationships
• Places - where you live, work, travel, etc.
• Activities - sports, exercise, getting things done.
• Knowledge - learning
• Things - houses, cars, boats, planes, furniture, etc. Lifestyle.
If you go on vacation and your spouse wants to read a book, but you want to skydive or parasail or scuba dive, each of you will view the other person as "difficult." If your coworker is only working to buy the house or car of their dreams and you value relationships at work, there's going to be conflict. How do you overcome these differences in values? Simple.
Seek First To Understand
As Stephen Covey said in the Seven Habits of Highly Successful People, one of you has to take the time to understand the other's values. Once you understand what the other person values, then you can frame any communication so that it matches their needs, not yours.
How do you find out what a person values? It simple. Ask them this question: What's important to you about (work, vacation, a house, a home, a marriage)? The context (i.e., the where and when) will allow the other person to focus their answer on what they value in that area of their life.
Ask anyone this question about work, and you'll get a variety of answers (each one representing one or two core values):
• I like the people I work with. I get to meet new people.
• I like working downtown, out of doors, etc.
• I'm always in motion. I'm never trapped in a cubicle.
• I learn something new every day.
• I get to have the lifestyle I want.
Then you can adjust your discussion to include your values, but tailor them to lead with their values as well:
• You might consider XYZ company because you'd get to meet a lot more new people and expand your knowledge.
• Denver might be a great place to live and work because the downtown area is booming and the chance to get out of doors to hike, camp and ski are tremendous.
• There's lots of activities on Maui and while you're out jet skiing, I can hang out by the pool and read a novel.
• The learning opportunities in this job are second to none, and you'll get to work with some top notch people.
• This job will allow you to live the life you've always dreamed in a place that's great for kids.
Pacing and Leading
This method is called pacing and leading. First you pace their values by framing the conversation in their values; then you lead them to how their values will support yours. When you learn their values and use pacing and leading, you'll discover that those "difficult" people aren't quite so difficult after all.
Rather than get upset by a so-called "difficult" person, you might consider getting curious. How can they think like that? What are they thinking? What must be important to them?
Values Archeology
As you get some practice at this, you'll start to notice that people's values become obvious. People who love people like to mingle, network, entertain. People who love where they live will just relax in the presence of mountains, ocean, beach, desert or wherever they feel most comfortable. Activities people will carry a gym bag to work. Knowledge people often tote around a non-fiction book or check out the news on the internet. People who love things will dress better than most, drive a clean status car, and live in better neighborhoods.
People are always living their values. All you have to do is notice. When you have a guess about their values, ask them about it. If it's a high value, their face will light up and they'll tell you all about it.
Take the time to discover the values of the key people in your life. Then use pacing and leading to connect with them on a deeper level. You'll be surprised how quickly those difficult people become easier to live with.
A word about manipulation: Many people worry that this will be manipulative. Here's my take on it. If you're doing it to further the relationship and achieve both of your outcomes, it's not manipulation; it's a caring way to live. If you're doing it just to advance your own interests, it's manipulation and the other person will see right through it and become even more difficult. It's up to you how it works.
http://www.qimacros.com/
http://www.lssmb.com/
Jay Arthur is a well-known expert in Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma. Jay helps teams understand their communication styles and restore broken connections. Jay has 30 years experience developing software on everything from mainframes to PCs.
Jay sells QI Macros, books, consulting services related to Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma. He has a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Arizona in Engineering, and a Master's Degree from Rutgers. He is a member of the National Speakers Association, Association for Software Quality and many other organizations.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6375114
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