Phone calls: “Is this a good time for you?”
End of meetings: “Let’s take five minutes to talk about how effective this meeting was and what we can do better next time.”
One-on-one meetings: “I’d like to talk about what we are to accomplish here today and then invite you to tell me what you most want to have happen at the end of this meeting.”
Meetings with specialists: “Today, think of me as your student and you as my professor. I want to learn what I need to know that you already know.” (thanks to Mehmood Khan)
Meetings with students, residents, and observers: “What would you like to learn today?”
Meeting with your boss or your boss’ boss: “How can I help today?”
Meeting someone who is mad at you: “I am so appreciative of you coming today; how can we figure this out together?”
Meeting with your administrative assistants, department heads or nurses on the floor: “What do you know, that I don’t know, that I should know?”
End of meetings: “I’d like to take a moment to remind myself and all of us why we met today (for patients’ safety, for nurse morale, to secure the finances so we can continue our mission, etc.) Thanks to Dr Frank Dono, (RIP) from OhioHealth
When asked if you have a minute: “Yes, I have two but then I have to run off…want to schedule more time for later today?”
When you want to avoid a downer discussion of how things are not going well: “What have you noticed today that is better or different?” (Then respond with “How did you/we get to make that happen?” (thanks to John Walter, ACSW and Nancy Belvisi, ACSW)
When you have reached your limit at home or at work and you know the next words coming out of your mouth will not be good for any living thing: “Excuse me for a minute, I have to go to the bathroom!” Few will object or follow you (lock the door!) and you’ll have precious time to think! (thanks to Dr. Rudolf Dreikurs)