One of the most common situations we all find ourselves in is having to deliver news that is other than positive. At best, it is precarious to be the bearer of such tidings. The danger involved is legendary. Sophocles, in his play, Oedipus Rex says, "Nobody likes the man who brings bad news." It is purported that the Romans, on hearing the bad news, took their frustrations out on the messenger by killing the person; hence, the phrase, "Don’t kill the messenger."

I took a managerial training which used the template of the Four Temperaments. One of the suggestions was to have a sanguine (a person with the temperament of immediate, short lived emotions) break bad news because the messenger would be more likely to naturally empathize; and, therefore not get shot.*

For some reason the messenger’s permission to empathize with the other person decreases when there is more than one person receiving the information. When the news is given to a group, the likelihood of the recipients letting the messenger be included in their disappointment decreases.

As messengers, how do we convey factual information that is often interpreted as negative by the others without our becoming associated in their minds with their reactions to the message? Our goals is to preserve the relationship while delivering the news. Eight components make up this exciting seminar. They will be taught separately and then interwoven to collectively create the fabric of How Not To Get Shot!.

The How Not… material comes from a bold vision created by Harvard University’s Fisher and Ury. In their work, most notably Getting to Yes, they created the macro goal of preserving the relationship while draping with tough issues. Hot Not To Get Shot! is the micro level of Fisher and Ury’s macro Level.

Call us today at 360-687-6238 to schedule a on-site training.