Fisher Law Practice, P.C.
The Law Offices of Genesis Fisher, Esq.
REFLECT ON CONTEXT + HISTORY
TO CRAFT EFFECTIVE OLIVE BRANCH
Greetings!

Today I'm going to answer a question that I get all of the time:

"Genesis! I have this one co-worker and we just cannot communicate anymore. Something happened (Maybe I misspoke, but I won't get into it...) and everything went off the rails and got SUPER personal. I think it's going to take time to repair the relationship, but how can I patch things up enough RIGHT NOW to complete this big project?"

First of all, there's no easy answer or stock language to immediately make everything okay. People are complicated and healing takes time. What I can offer is a framework for thinking through what the real issues are, defining the stakes, and reflecting on what we know about the person to craft an olive branch that has the best possible chance of being effective.

TRY THIS REFLECTION AND PLANNING EXERCISE.

1. Put the Conversation Back in Context.
  • When you interact with the other person, what are the goals of the conversation?
  • What needs to be communicated to them? What information is essential for you to receive?
  • What decisions need to be made? Reported to whom? 

2. Learn Valuable Lessons From History.
  • Have you witnessed this person in a tense exchange before? What happened? What can you learn from that experience? (i.e., they respond well to _____ comments/behavior and poorly to ______ comments/behavior)
  • How have you personally dealt with tension with this person before? What was the result? Did you learn anything about what NOT to do?

3. What Are the Actual Stakes? (personal and professional?)
  • What are your expectations for this project?
  • What would happen if this project didn’t work out well? What would happen for you personally?
  • What are your expectations for how quickly this relationship can be healed? Is that realistic?

4. Now, Craft Your Approach.
  • What is your normal “go-to” response for situations like this one. Is that response appropriate here?
  • After reflecting on the above, what process, language and medium give you the greatest opportunity for success? (i.e. "safe" feeling mediums like email can be counterproductive because they leave a lot of space for misinterpretation)
  • Knowing this person, how might they best receive this olive branch?


Understanding the context, history and personal stakes
helps you stay grounded in the conversation
and craft a plan focused on getting needs (yours and theirs) met.

Give Struggling Leaders a Lifeline with Confidential Coaching

Introducing the BLAZE Bundle!


Entering the third year of COVID, we're seeing employees and leaders who are overwhelmed, exhausted and burnt out. C-Suite is starting to feel like C-Sour.

Leaders are buckling under the weight of supporting their team, doing the overflow work AND trying to take care of their own families. Some are even quitting, leaving behind panicked colleagues, confused junior staff and bad signals to investors.

Are you seeing more burnout? Are more folks in your office quitting?

Personally, I've been trying to figure out how the FLP team can support folks in this time of crisis. Sometimes it literally keeps me up at night. Other programs I've developed in the past (COVID Workplace Dialogue series, facilitated retreats, etc) don't quite fit this new need. After some reflection, I decided to create a new leadership coaching bundle to provide a lifeline of individual, confidential support. This new bundle is called "Blaze" because we're moving past old "normals" to help leaders blaze a new path forward.


THE BLAZE BUNDLE INCLUDES
10 Individual Coaching Sessions for Leadership (1HR PER SESSION)
+1 Initial Planning Session with Key Leadership (30 MINUTES) 
+Regular reports on coaching numbers for HR/Legal


With the BLAZE BUNDLE, your business will be able to:

  • Offer fully confidential support so that management can speak freely;
  • Provide a lifeline for leaders on the verge of quitting;
  • Take some stress off of your HR department;
  • Help leaders develop personal strategies to deal with tough interpersonal dynamics;
  • Show your staff you are investing in self-care; and
  • Show your Board of Directors that you are responding to the real challenges of keeping top talent.


"Why should my business work with FLP?" Listen to Rebecca's story.

Rebecca sought support when she was promoted to head her department. It was important for her to incorporate her values into her leadership. She wanted strategies for managing up and down, and accountability for long-term goals. I asked her to share some thoughts about her experience getting coaching support.

"[I needed] someone who listens to the challenges you are facing at work as a leader and can help you see through all the complexities that may be blinding you. And help you find the best path forward. Workplace conflict is just like other relationships: Hidden trauma and feelings are impacting behavior. Except you have the added complexity of it being in a professional environment where everyone is pressured to present themselves in a particular way.

It can be hard to dig under behaviors and understand what is driving them. And for me there was also trying to understand and navigate the responses I received as a woman leader. There is a whole lot coming at you even in the best situations. If you are in a work environment that is dealing with serious conflict, you need that support and external clarity because you just don’t have the time to muddle through on your own. Having a resource that brings so much experience and knowledge, that is a huge added value.

I would not have made it through the year without this help. It was a toxic work environment where I was suffering a lot of harm from those above me and I was in a position where I had to implement practices or actions that caused harm to those under me. It was a terrible place to be in...

From navigating legal issues that came up at work to helping me prepare for contentious meetings, Fisher Law was there for me every step of the way.”


Want to keep top talent and avoid costly resignations?

or call 917-819-5656
FLP was featured by
the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce!

The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is proud to be committed to racial justice and equity year-round, and to provide business development resources and networking opportunities for LGBTQ and BIPOC entrepreneurs around the nation.

This month, the NGLCC featured ten Black LGBT business owners and interviewed them about their entrepreneurial journeys, involvement with NGLCC, and what makes their businesses unique.

Learn more about all of the businesses, and to engage and network with the powerhouses behind them!
Upcoming Talks and Workshops


February 22, 2022, 11am - Virtual (private)
Bodyworks
In a Black History Month discussion, Genesis will explore the impact of COVID for BIPOC communities and resilience.

February 23, 2022, 7:15pm - Virtual (private)
City University of New York Law School, Mediation Clinic
Genesis will have a fireside chat with CUNY Law Students about the ADR field.

March 23, 2022, 12pm - Virtual (livestream)
Million Dollar Women: CEO Check-in Podcast
Million Dollar Women Founder and CEO Julia Pimsleur is on a mission to help women entrepreneurs reach a million dollars in revenue. On March 23rd, Julia will have a live coaching session with Genesis to help FLP reach even more people.
(yep, that's me talking to former NY Governor Patterson
when I moderated New York Law School's ADR on January 27, 2022)
Need Workplace Mediation, Executive Coaching or Communication Training?
Call Us Today!

195 Montague Street, 14th floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 917.819.5656
Email: info@fisherlawpractice.nyc