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Communicate assertively, rather than passively or aggressively.
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Avoid sharing your judgments about the other, using labeling or name calling, making accusations or giving commands and orders.
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Ask yourself what you can learn from the experience that will make your future experiences more productive and more satisfying.
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Develop a clear vision about what you want. If professionals feel confused about what you want, they may choose inaction over doing the “wrong” thing.
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Focus on what you want rather than what you don’t want.
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Be positive. Express what you want in a positive manner so those who are invested in the system will feel less threatened.
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Make your statements specific rather than general.
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Provide your point of view and back it up with evidence.
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Aim at creating a shared understanding. Openness to the other’s point of view must come from a desire to improve your relationship with the other.
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Share a plan for, or a solution to, the problem you experienced with the other party.
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Develop specific next steps to take together, to resolve the difficulty.
