Delivering Urgent Communication

C.U.B.E. for Conflict

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

Best Practices for Delivering Urgent Communication

  • Center yourself. If you’ve been rushing to deliver your communication, pause before entering, take a breath, and remember the desired outcome of the conversation.
  • Enter calmly with eyes wide and intent.
  • Set the right mood for the conversation and be clear of the nature of the conversation.

C

REATE CONTEXT & OBJECTIVES

  • Share the news and share the known consequences early. It’s better to take a “big bath” when delivering bad news, than trying to “feather it.”  
  • Let them know what you are wanting from them.  In times of urgency, set clear context.
  • If mobilization of resources is required, run through that first, brainstorm options, and mobilize.
  • Once the urgency is handled, get centered again, help the other person get centered, and look at the big picture and next steps.
  • Let them do as much talking as needed if they are drawn to verbally processing.
  • Ask them what they heard and their thoughts.

NDERSTAND EACH OTHER’S WORLDS… THEIR WORLD FIRST

U

  • Brainstorm process first. Is this the right group?  What’s the order of decisions to be made?
  • Then brainstorm what needs to happen in the next hour and mobilize key resources.
  • Finally, step back and brainstorm the big picture, next steps, communications, etc.

B

RAINSTORM OPTIONS

  • Focus on the immediate next steps--usually who needs to be informed or mobilized to support you in deciding next steps.
  • Be clear on the decision making authority and the level of urgency.
  • Create a communications plan and what is expected in the next short while.
  • Recenter and breath.

E

ND WITH COMMITMENTS

Common Mistakes for Delivering Urgent Communication

  • Not bringing urgency
  • Letting speed unground you or the group.
  • Starting the conversation with the wrong people in the room.
  • Not checking your assumptions

C

REATE CONTEXT & OBJECTIVES

  • Sharing interpretations as if they were facts.
  • Making generalizations about the situation.
  • Assigning blame, rather than focusing on the solution.
  • Not empathizing with people’s perspective, obstacles or views. Totally losing compassion or humanity in the face of urgency.

NDERSTAND EACH OTHER’S WORLDS… THEIR WORLD FIRST

U

  • Brainstorming in the wrong order
  • Forgetting about the communications plan--what’s confidential and what’s not, how will people be informed, etc.

B

RAINSTORM OPTIONS

ND WITH COMMITMENTS

  • Ending the conversation without clear agreements and way to change those agreements as new information is learned.
  • Ending without expressing support and appreciation.
  • Forgetting to breath.

E

View the Cube Prep Sheet in Google Doc.

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