What techniques can you use to stay calm when discussions get tough?

Deep breathing can lower stress hormones such as cortisol in your body, reducing anxiety, promoting relaxation, and enhancing your ability to think clearly and make rational decisions.

Taking deep breaths is an effective technique for staying calm during difficult discussions. When you feel tension rising, pausing to take a deep breath helps reduce your body's stress response, calming your mind and allowing you to respond in a more controlled and rational manner. This can prevent the conversation from escalating into a bigger conflict.

It is a true and proven technique, that if you breathe deeply, this process helps the body relax, and in this way one can maintain composure when conversations become a bit difficult. However, the real challenge is that many people might find it challenging to recall that they need to breathe deeply in that heated moment. The solution to that is practice - practice being aware of your breath every day for at least 3 minutes, and any time you find an idle time, until it's second nature. Then practice breathing gently and deeply for at least 5 minutes a day. This process will naturally enhance the biochemistry of the body and strengthen the mind. Hence, you will be in control of yourself in any tough situation with ease.

Focus on Solutions: Shift the focus from the problem to potential solutions. Collaborative problem-solving fosters a more positive and productive discussion.

Take the step back and oxygenize your brain and body. That will help you to not only think clearly, but also give the fuel needed to your brain to organize your ideas and be able to expose them properly.

To stay calm during tough discussions, practice deep breathing to manage stress, actively listen to understand the other person's perspective, and take brief pauses before responding to collect your thoughts. Maintain a positive self-talk to boost confidence, use empathy to acknowledge the other person's feelings, and be mindful of your body language to promote openness. Employ mindfulness techniques regularly to enhance emotional regulation, set boundaries by suggesting breaks if necessary, and seek common ground to foster a cooperative atmosphere.

Here are a few things I found to be helpful. 1. Prepare in advance. Life is rough, and there will be difficult discussions. Watching self-help videos and reading articles on staying calm will help you gather the tools you need when the moment arrives. 2. Breathe deeply. Try to cool down before you respond. However, it's essential to draw boundaries and not tolerate disrespect. 3. Consider therapy if you frequently deal with difficult discussions and do not come out on top. 4. Consider having allies to support you through these difficult moments. 5. It's learning by trial and error. What works for others may not work for you. Be gentle with yourself. We are all learning as we navigate these situations.

De acordo com a minha experiência posso dizer que existem técnicas que facilitam muito a comunicação quando acontecem discussões em equipe: 1 - Ouça com atenção 2 - Foque na solução e não no problema 3 - Não incentive a competição 4 - Dê um tempo para os envolvidos se acalmarem 5 - Ofereça ajuda para resolver a desavença. Lidar com pessoas não é fácil, mas a comunicação está ai para ajudar.

Escucha activa, sin interrupciones, focalizando el mensaje, sin que afecte o se involucre asuntos personales que puedan tener o nó relación alguna con lo que se manifiesta.

Understand the different point of views. Most of the time we keep our ears closed to other ideas or perspectives, however if you are able to understand each one's point of view, you can definitely read the room and provide insights and proposals that can please all stakeholder's needs.

Staying present during a discussion is crucial for handling the situation productively. Focus on what is being said at the moment, rather than worrying about what might happen or dwelling on past issues. Being present enables you to listen actively and respond appropriately, facilitating more effective communication and reducing misunderstandings.

Using empathy can transform the dynamics of a difficult discussion. Try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes and understand their feelings and perspectives. Demonstrating empathy not only defuses conflict but also paves the way for a more constructive and compassionate conversation, where both parties feel heard and respected.

Setting clear boundaries during a discussion can help maintain calm and mutual respect. If the conversation starts to become too intense or unproductive, don't hesitate to ask for a break or suggest continuing the discussion at another time. Setting boundaries helps prevent the situation from becoming overwhelming and allows for necessary reflection time.

Organize your ideas and have a clear point/goal on your communication. Usually we try to add or "make rounds" on our speech, and that is when we might lose our point and jeopardize a negotiation. Keep your ideas and communication concise and aligned with your goals/points.

I have learned that it is essential to use words to convey that we have been listening to the other person before proceeding to share our perspective, and to understand that the best of English words could be interpreted differently by the listener if they are emotional. In extremely delicate situations, using a simple phrase like "I hear you", "please help me understand your perspective better", "I respect how you feel", can help de-escalate a tough situation and make the person feel seen and heard, and hence became more receptive to giving back the same respect and allowing the conversation to be more balanced and fruitful.

Choosing words wisely is fundamental for staying calm and avoiding inflaming the situation. Use neutral language and avoid accusations or generalizations that may be perceived as personal attacks. Phrases like "I feel" or "I perceive" instead of "You always" or "You never" help keep the tone of the conversation balanced and focused on resolution.

Lorsque la conversion est difficile et devient conflictuelle la méthode DESC, est un outil intéressant qui favorise l'assertivité et la bienveillance. Voici 4 étapes pour mieux communiquer en cas de conflit : 1) Décrire les faits : Identifiez objectivement les éléments du conflit. 2) Exprimer vos émotions : Communiquez vos sentiments liés au conflit. 3) Spécifier des solutions : Proposez des idées pour résoudre le problème. 4) Conclure : Évaluez les conséquences et trouvez un terrain d’entente. Cette approche permet de désamorcer les tensions et de se concentrer sur des échanges constructifs. Elle peut être utilisée en mode informel ou formel selon la situation.

Listen carefully as nothing is personal. Reflect on what is being said and the underneath reasoning of that. Absorb it, process it, identify the opportunities hidden in this. Pick and use them prudently to transform them into the benefit of the situation. This is called WIN-WIN.

Reflecting and adapting are important steps after a difficult discussion. Take a moment to reflect on what was said and how you responded. Consider what worked well and what could be improved. Adapting your approach based on these reflections helps develop better communication strategies for the future and manage discussions more effectively.

When a conversation gets heated up and difficult; pause/ take a break. Engage in one or more of the following activities; take a short walk, go to the rest room, or take a glass of water before returning to the conversation. The result could be magical. By taking a short break, you give the order party/parties opportunity to introspect and weigh options, depending on what is at stake, fresh air always opens up more Perspectives for consideration, and opens windows for more ideas/options or solutions.