Positive Reframing
(Click here for pdf version)

Clarify

• Instead of "I know this isn't going to work!",

• probe for full understanding ("Tell me more. I'm not clear...")

Confirm

• Instead of responding to unconfirmed assumptions,

• check them out ("Let me be sure I understand--you're saying that...")

Give Credit

• Instead of focusing first on what you don't like ("What a stupid, pig-headed point of view!"),

• focus first on anything you like about their idea.

Be Creative

• Instead of stating your concern as a barrier ("But it's doomed to failure because it will take too long!"),

• restate your concern as a potential positive outcome if it were addressed ("How could we assure that it is done in a short enough time?").