Advance Updates

Avoid These Unfortunate Interviewing Techniques

Five Wrong Ways to Conduct Stakeholder InterviewsThis is the second in a series of blog articles about client and stakeholder interviewing to inform and build alignment around important projects and initiatives. This article addresses five wrong ways to conduct stakeholder interviews, common pitfalls that you should avoid when conducting interviews, and the next one addresses the five most important things you should do.

In our Advance Update article on Conducting Interviews, I introduced a new concept called creating shared space with those you interview. To quote a line from the article:

“The greater the shared space you have with another, the greater the opportunity to work in a way that accomplishes mutually beneficial work, and aspires to a higher purpose.” (more…)

Topics:Client InterviewingSoft Skills

Interviewing To Communicate And Align

This is the first in a series of blog articles about stakeholder and client interviewing to inform and build alignment around important projects and initiatives. I will start by addressing the question, “What is driving the explosive demand for stakeholder interviewing skills?”
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Topics:Client InterviewingEnterprise of the FutureSoft SkillsTransformational Change

Shared Space Is Common Ground

More and more, professionals and consultants must conduct interviews with clients and stakeholders to inform and build alignment around important initiatives and projects. The goal is to create shared space during stakeholder interviews. However, that doesn’t always happen. For example, when interviewing others, have you ever had frustrations like:
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Topics:Client InterviewingConflict ManagementCustomer FocusPerformance ImprovementSoft Skills

Managing Conflict With The Boss – Tricky Business

This is the second in a series of blog articles about being thrown under the bus and what you can do about it. In the first article I suggested that you Don’t Throw People Under the Bus. There are almost always better ways to respond. Since that post several of you have asked about what you do if your boss throws you under the bus – so we are dedicating this blog to answering that question.

This is a tricky topic. Because it has many flavors, you must be careful in understanding your particular circumstance before acting. (more…)

Topics:Conflict ManagementPerformance ImprovementSoft SkillsThrown Under the Bus

Managing Conflict With Clients – Don’t Retaliate

This article continues my series on the phenomenon of throwing people under the bus. In the first article my advice was Don’t Throw People Under the Bus. There are usually better ways to stay safe and handle difficult situations. To that point, the second article addressed the topic, How to Avoid Being Thrown Under the Bus. Nevertheless, while prevention is an important element of staying safe, we all find ourselves under the bus at some point in our careers. What do you do if you find yourself there? Specifically, what do you do when your client throws you under the bus?
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Topics:Conflict ManagementCustomer FocusPerformance ImprovementSoft SkillsThrown Under the Bus