Risk Communication Attachment 5: Non-Judgmental Language - Helpful Phrases Instead of saying/thinking: Consider saying/thinking: That's ridiculous That's unreasonable I hadn't considered that, how will that work for both of us? I don't understand how that will work. What makes that a fair solution? That doesn't make sense You're not making sense I'm not following you... Help me understand... I don't understand, how will that work? That's not workable That will never work I'm not comfortable with that because... That's one option, here are my concerns... I'd like to hear your thinking on how this would work You aren't doing this right You didn't do this right This is different than what I expected Does this way of doing it still meet the requirements? We're not going anywhere If only you would stop... We'll never agree It seems as though may be getting in our way I think we can find a solution Let's look at we have accomplished so far Why do you want X? How did you get to X? What makes you want X? What makes X a good solution/choice? Why did you do that? What motivated you to do that? That has nothing to do with this How does that relate to this? The fact is... This is how it is: Correct me if I'm wrong, I understand (state facts as you see them) The way I see it is... I won't do X I am not comfortable doing X X makes me nervous (etc.) because... Yes, but... Yes, and... You haven't done X I appreciate your willingness to do X.. .we are with completing it? You're wrong My experience has been... I see this differently... I need to understand...better DoX You should do X I need help with X We need to get X done.. .what suggestions do you have? I'd like you to do X, will that work? Can you do X? Are you willing to do X? I want X I must have X One option I see is X.. .how does X work for you? One way I see to resolve this is X... what do you think of X? One option is X... X is important to me because... We have nothing in common We agree on... You're lying. I don't believe that. I'm confused about... You said... But you did... Let me see if I have this right, you are saying... I'm not clear about... Let's focus on the future That's not fair Let's find a solution that is fair for both of us — 1 ------- Risk Communication Instead of saying/thinking: Consider saying/thinking: You make me mad You're making me feel I get upset when... I feel... I... You... We... Remember - TONE and BODY LANGUAGE make all the difference in any communication. U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution. 2010. Non-Judgmental Language: Helpful Phrases [Handout], Training VUsrkshop on Introduction to Managing Environmental Conflict, Vteshington, D.C. September 14-15. 2 ------- |