Repair Attempts Need Fast, Low-Ego Timing
Use small, timely repair attempts to interrupt escalation before a full apology is possible.
The earlier the repair attempt, the less heroic it has to be. When conversations go bad, people often wait for the perfect apology. That is too late for many workplace moments. A repair attempt can be small: 'Let me restart that,' 'I am on your side here,' 'I said that too sharply,' or 'Can we pause for 30 seconds?' Why it works Escalation narrows attention. Each person starts scanning for threat and evidence. A repair attempt widens attention again by signaling that the relationship and process still matter. It is a bid to return to joint work. What makes it…
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