When Defensiveness Appears
Respond to defensiveness by returning to evidence, care, and the next loop.
The defensive turn After your feedback, Theo says, "So you think I am bad at my job?" The actual issue was answering a pricing objection before hearing the budget constraint. The feedback is at risk of becoming an identity debate. Defensiveness loop Care -> Evidence -> Curiosity -> Next A defensive response needs grounding, not retreat. Reassure and drop it No, forget I said anything The person can re-enter the conversation without the feedback disappearing. Care lowers identity threat; evidence keeps the challenge intact. 01 Care 02 Evidence 03 Next Decision 1 Theo looks hurt and defensive.
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