How to Tell Anyone Anything

CHAPTER 6

Discuss the Issue: Just the Facts

Up to this point, everything we have discussed essentially serves to make the discussion easier on both sides. The techniques we have learned so far have been relatively easy to learn and use, but they aren't enough by themselves. For example, some people have reported going through an entire termination interview with their human resources departments and having no idea that they were being fired! At some point, you must shift gears decisively into a frank discussion of the issue between you and another person.

So guess what? This part is easy too. In fact, it is even easier than the previous steps because it involves three simple steps that make perfect sense in hindsight. They are so easy that I ...