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Managing Sticky Situations at Work

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66 <strong>Managing</strong> <strong>Sticky</strong> <strong>Situ<strong>at</strong>ions</strong> <strong>at</strong> <strong>Work</strong>SAY IT JUST RIGHT CONVERSATION‘‘Chloe, we have worked together now for two months and I’ve sentyou two invoices. I’m disappointed th<strong>at</strong> you have not paid me for ourcoaching sessions,’’ Brooks says <strong>at</strong> the outset of the session. (Specifiesthe problem and joins feelings with fact.)‘‘I’m really sorry. You know how strapped I’ve been. I thought Icould pay you last time, but then I got th<strong>at</strong> bill for the electricity whenthe tree hit the power line. Th<strong>at</strong> really threw me.’’‘‘I’m curious to know how valuable you believe our sessions are?’’(Invites Chloe to talk.)‘‘God, you’ve saved my life. You’ve really helped me set someimportant goals and reach them. I appreci<strong>at</strong>e everything I’m learningabout myself from our sessions. I anticip<strong>at</strong>e th<strong>at</strong> next month I willfinally see a small profit in the business. And, I’ve reduced my debtby one-third since we’ve been working together.’’‘‘So, clearly you value wh<strong>at</strong> we’ve been doing. I am pleased th<strong>at</strong> Icould help you achieve your financial goals. I remain distressed, however,th<strong>at</strong> you have not kept your promise in our coaching agreement.Wh<strong>at</strong> can you do to turn th<strong>at</strong> around?’’ (Looks for resolution.)Chloe sighs and thinks. ‘‘I can put off paying off one vendor untilnext month. Th<strong>at</strong> way, I can pay you for part of the bill.’’‘‘Wh<strong>at</strong> will you do to pay the rest of the bill?’’‘‘I will have the entire bill paid off by the end of next month.’’Brooks takes a bre<strong>at</strong>h. ‘‘By then we will have had three more sessions.Wh<strong>at</strong> will you do to make sure you pay all subsequent bills ontime while we are working together?’’‘‘I’m sure th<strong>at</strong> I’ll be able to pay regularly once the business picksup. This past year has been very tight. Finally, I can see some progressin everything, especially my debt reduction. If you can give me a couplemore weeks, I’m sure I can get it all paid.’’‘‘It has been a bad year for you. I know th<strong>at</strong>. Starting a new businesstakes a lot of guts and courage. You’ve shown you have wh<strong>at</strong> it takes. Iapplaud you for your work and will gladly give you more time withinlimits.’’ He pauses.‘‘So, just to be clear,’’ Brooks continues. ‘‘You’re saying you’ll paypart of my bill now and the rest by the end of the month, right? Whenwill I see those results?’’‘‘As soon as we finish this session, I’ll make the first paymentonline.’’

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