Clean Up - They Made a Mistake

C.U.B.E. for Conflict

To learn more about CUBE and how to use, please view the CUBE Overview

Best Practices for Clean Up - They Made a Mistake

  • Share your support for the other person and your commitment to a powerful working relationship. 
  • Assume positive intent. 
  • Request a conversation to resolve a concern. Co-create the conversation.
  • Avoid using the word “trust” because people take it personally.

C

REATE CONTEXT & OBJECTIVES

  • State your interpretation. Separate facts from interpretations. Focus on what happened and the impact on you. 
  • Put everything on the table rather than withholding parts. Clear it all up.
  • Appreciate the other person’s view of the situation even if it’s inaccurate. 
  • Stay curious about what you did to contribute to the situation, even if it’s minor. Apologize if appropriate.
  • Create a shared reality and take responsibility for your role.
  • Be careful about your need to be right vs. need for a way forward.

NDERSTAND EACH OTHER’S WORLDS… THEIR WORLD FIRST

U

  • Co-create many possible solutions to resolve the situation.
  • Also discuss how to ensure that the misunderstanding or situation doesn’t happen again.

B

RAINSTORM OPTIONS

  • Decide and fully align on clear next steps. Agree to specific actions to deal with similar breakdowns in the future. 
  • Reconfirm your support for the other person.
  • Work as a team to make it happen and stay in communication.

E

ND WITH COMMITMENTS

Common Mistakes for Clean Up - They Made a Mistake

  • Creating disconnection through blame, anger, or a poor mood.
  • Unilateral moves such as insisting when the conversation happens.
  • Assuming the cleanup is a one-way street: They likely have issues to bring up with you.
  • Not creating a positive tone.
  • Forgetting that there are two conversations—the cleanup and also creating a way to move forward.
  • Choosing the right battles--getting as much handled as you think you can.

C

REATE CONTEXT & OBJECTIVES

  • Assuming that your story or point of view is accurate and complete.
  • Not clarifying the difference between intent and impact.

NDERSTAND EACH OTHER’S WORLDS… THEIR WORLD FIRST

U

  • Focusing just on the past, rather than also focusing on how to ensure trust is maintained in the future.

B

RAINSTORM OPTIONS

  • Not setting up a check-in in a month or period of time that is appropriate to make sure everything is on track.
  • Lack of clarity around what will be different.

E

ND WITH COMMITMENTS

View the Cube Prep Sheet in Google Doc.

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