Discussion Thread: State My Path and Contrasting

After completing this week’s readings and watching the following video, read the brief scenario and then answer the following questions. 

You are the Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) for a clothing retailer with over 100 store locations.  You scheduled a meeting with Joe, a store manager, after receiving a phone call on your organization’s anonymous tip line.  The caller stated Joe was giving the “good shifts” to his favorite three employees.  Joe sits down in front of you and is obviously angry.  In a raised voice Joe declares, “Staff should not dictate my schedule, right?!  Who are they, to tell me how to do my job!”

1. How would you use the State My Path method in this scenario? Include all five steps in your response (share your facts, tell your story, ask for others’ paths, talk tentatively, and encourage testing).

2. During your conversation Joe states, “The employees don’t know what they’re doing, anyway! We need to look at our hiring process.”  State how you would use the concept of “contrasting” to get the conversation back on the right topic.  Include both a “don’t” and “do” part of your statement.

3. From the assigned scripture reading:

A. What are the potential negative consequences of not seeking God prior to a negotiation or crucial conversation?

B. Which verbal tactic would you use to determine if the representatives from the people of Gibeon are acting deceptively? Why?  Hint: See Table 5:3 in the Lewicki, Saunders, & Barry text.

References

Grenny, J., Patterson, K., McMillan, R., Switzler, A., & Gregory, E. (2022). Crucial

conversation: Tools for talking when stakes are high (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

King James Bible. (2024).
King James Bible Online. (Originally published 1769).

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1-Corinthians-Chapter-10/#24

Lewicki, R., Saunders, D., & Barry, B. (2021). Essentials of negotiation (7th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.