Conversations can be difficult. Not always, of course, some are easy and enjoyable. Others, however, can feel like slogging through quicksand. Whether one is trying to negotiate a promotion, finalize a contract, or even have an emotional conversation with a loved one, it’s not always a breezy experience.
Wharton’s blog has hit it out of the park again with their new article on how to have successful conversations. This new piece features research from Maurice Schweitzer, Wharton professor of operations, information and decisions. Schweitzer teaches a class on negotiations at Wharton, so if anyone knows about these conversations, it’s him.
In this new posting, Schweitzer and his co-authors not only provide information on how to plan for these conversations, but they offer a logistical framework for thinking about them. The model is called the “conversational circumplex,” and it maps conversations along two key axes: informational and relational (see the attached diagram. Left-brained thinkers will especially love it!). Check out their enlightening X-Y axis and see how you can better prepare for the next difficult conversation in your life.