Use these six strategies to communicate effectively.
1) You can accept anything without agreeing with it. Thus, acknowledge amazing requests and outrageous statements with responses such as:
“That’s an interesting idea.”
“That’s a novel request.”
“What an intriguing question.”
Use this as an opportunity to understand what the other person is saying. And then move on to other topics without attempting to argue.
2) People judge others by their actions. This means you are being judged by the perceptions you create with your words and actions. For example, if you act angry, even though you feel otherwise, you will be judged as being hostile. If you sound helpless, even though you feel otherwise, you will be judged as being ineffective. Thus, choose actions and words that convey the impression you want to make.
3) People judge themselves by their intentions. Thus, acknowledge that the other person’s actions or words are correct and proper (as seen by that other person). Even when someone’s behavior appears completely absurd, that person most likely believes it is...