Services

Coaching

We all have instinctive walls that can pop up in a micro-second to protect us from criticism, disapproval, perceived attacks on our integrity or emotional harm. These walls surround us, much like wagon trains formed circles to better defend against external attacks. Sometimes this instinct can be too strong and easily misinterpreted, creating significant communications hurdles when negotiating or resolving matters of importance. The colloquial phrase is “pushing somebody’s buttons”.

These buttons are not only personal buttons. Obstacles to constructive negotiations can include company morale, misunderstood objectives, varying perceptions, rumors or simple fear of change. Communications coaches assist individuals or groups to better understand their communications styles and their negotiating personalities. They learn to identify and sidestep their personal or professional “buttons”, and better communicate the matters at hand.

Don’t confuse “coaching” with “counseling”. Counseling is a clinical, therapeutic program administered by professionals in a structured and formal environment. Coaching implies no weakness or deficiency on anyone’s part. It is simply an educational process to locate and set aside personal or collective roadblocks within an organization that impede constructive communication. Coaching sessions maintain a friendly environment, usually in a classroom setting with written and oral exercises, breakout sessions, supportive feedback and role-play scenarios.

The Negotiators is a mediation and and negotiations firm based in metro Atlanta, Georgia, serving the U.S. and Canada. Our mediators, negotiators and conflict management practitioners are highly experienced, well trained and extremely qualified to help resolve your personal or professional disputes.