Hi John,

Emily Gregory replies to a painful plea in today's Q&A. Author Joseph Grenny and VitalSmarts director of human resources Derek Cullimore will host a webinar about addressing vaccines and variants. Justin Hale shares a 60-second tip that could forever change how you engage on social media.

Q&A: Crucial Conversations
Emily Gregory

When Someone Believes "Might is Right"

What approach can you take when someone believes that hurting others (insulting, accusing, and so on) is good and right and helps the other person become better?

This person believes it’s especially good to use anger, because it helps people remember your message more. They also believe that doing kind, considerate things is a form of approval seeking and therefore enabling and immoral.

I can’t find any mutual agreement with this person, and I can’t feel respect for him. After all, how can I respect someone who is not only abusive, but also believes that what they do is good and right? How can I have an Accountability Conversation with someone who says it’s good to insult but bad to be kind?

Can somebody please give me their thoughts on this predicament?

Signed,
Afraid

Webinar

Dialogue Matters: How to Talk About Variants, Vaccines, and Back-to-Office Plans

With vaccine mandates and back-to-office directives, many are struggling to speak up and share opinions and concerns.

Join New York Times bestselling author Joseph Grenny and VitalSmarts human resources director Derek Cullimore on Tuesday, August 31st for a free 45-minute webinar and learn a few tips for handling these important and difficult conversations.

How Do I Say That?

The Golden Rule of Social Media

So, you've got a strong opinion and you want to share it on social media. Should you? It depends.

To the poet, to the philosopher, to the saint, all things are friendly and sacred, all events profitable, all days holy, all men divine.

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

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