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Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Radio Podcast #4: CONFLICT! -- Content Synopsis & Conflict Poems

Agenda:

1)  Partnerships that Drive Performance:  Radio Podcast #4:  CONFLICT!

2)  Conflict Poems
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Partnerships that Dive Performance:  Radio Podcast #4:  CONFLICT!  You got a problem with that!

During our pre-show preparation, Emily, my co-host, challenged me to be more spontaneously interactive and engaged with her.  And she was right.  I think it resulted in our most animated and stimulating effort yet.

Any time listening link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ptdp
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Stress Doc Radio Blog:  Partnerships that Drive Performance!

Tuesday Nights 8:30pm EST

Jan 28, 2016

Wonderful, Mark! I have had a listen and like what I hear. I've promoted it on Orate's social media channels. Keep me updated on the developments of the communications speaking program. Best, Erin

Erin C. Reeve, Community Marketing Manager
ORATE Speakers Bureau
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Dueling yet collaborative mind-behavior-interaction strategy experts blur the lines of conventional wisdom in their quest to pull back the curtain on communication, creativity, and collaboration -- that is, on "Partnerships the Drive Performance."  And you can call-in:  646-564-9624.

Any time listening link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ptdp

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Program # 4 Synopsis

During our pre-show preparation, Emily, my co-host challenged me to be more spontaneously interactive and engaged with her.  And she was right.  I think it resulted in our most animated and stimulating effort yet.  And for a little lagniappe, after the radio blog, her husband was commenting about our growing repertoire of shows.  The word "repertoire" sounded slightly off-kilter, and suddenly I realized we had created a new word, a neologism:  we are developing a "web-ertoire."

Highlights of Show # 4 -- CONFLICT!

1.  Why are first associations to the word "conflict" often negative?  How many grew up in families where it really felt safe and secure having angry arguments or being in the middle of conflict?

2.  A discussion of the double-edged -- positive and negative, approach and avoidance -- nature of conflict; how conflict creates tension and dissension, yet also can focus attention, heighten motivation, generate imaginative problem-solving, and spur survival and creative collaboration.

3.  Emily's personal share around the initial sharp differences between her and her husband around "saving or spending money," and how they constructively negotiated their differences.

4.  We engaged in one of the Stress Doc's "power struggle exercise":  "You Can't Make Me"..."Oh, Yes I Can."  And while our increasingly charged banter was evolving from the playful to the more serious...it was our analysis of the exchange that really proved meaningful.

5.  We went back and forth discussing and illustrating the "Six "C"s of Power Struggles"; why is it so easy to fall into the power struggle trap.  The Six "C"s:  Control, Competition, Change, Cultural Diversity, Communication Skills, and Courage.  Once again the Stress Doc demonstrates why he is a charter member of the new AA group Acronyms Anonymous!

6.  The Murray Story captures how a grizzled salesman is challenged to work through his anger with the new, young, brash CEO (likely covering insecurity with an aggressive front), approach the young buck in a way that both men can save face, and even become an elder statesman in the company.

7.  We talked about the importance and steps for achieving consensus:  where everyone gives up a little for the common good.

8.  And finally, the real highlight was the spirited interplay between the Communication Strategist and the Stress Doc.

Enjoy.

Emily and Mark
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Conflict Poems

Crazy for “You”

“It’s all your fault”; “You drive me crazy!”
Sounds like an assault from a mind that is lazy.
Do not be shy, here’s one good reply –
Looking eye to eye…with tone a tad dry:
“Time after time, I know you have said it…
Alas, you still give me way too much credit.”
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Tea for Two:  The Narcissist’s Version

You for me and me for me
Oh how nurturing you will be
Forget “to be or not to be”…
Just simply think of Me, Me, Me!
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Losing It…Resting It

You may think I’m at a loss
Not having you as a boss.
But when it’s just me
Not us or you…
Please, do not tell me what to do.

Even when you “know what’s best”
(Though never quite put to the test)
Let me flounder; wait...still better
A request:  Geez, Louise…Just let it rest!
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I had started working on a poem, seemingly about hostile communication, but didn’t get very far.  Perhaps the first four lines.  So I let it go.  Recently, while trying to track down other poems on conflict, I came across these lonely, forgotten words.  Now I had a person in mind; and the further I progressed with the lyrics, additional tense encounters with other “stress carriers” flooded my mindscape.  And the common characteristic:  people who didn’t deal with conflict straight on or with a genuine give-and-take quality.  Their pattern was to hit and run, subtly ridicule and walk away, or snake bite and tune out or block.  As the lines progressed, as I captured this toxic, passive-aggressive pattern, as the poem was gaining greater definition…a new self-recognition appeared on the mental horizon.  I too was feeling more defined and solid; the memories of these encounters did not leave me feeling wounded or agitated, plotting revenge.  I was puzzling out and declaring a poetic measure of personal evolution; letting go of some of the darkness and letting in pristine light.


The Double-Edged Curse of Conflict-Averse

You’re so in control
Above the fray.
Cutting wit – saber cool
What dare I say?
Of course, you don’t let emotions
Get in the way.
Hey, you’re no fool…
When it comes to survival:
The head trumps the heart –
The DarthVinian rule!

And when there’s contention
You know your part:
Just shoot a dart!
That kills discussion
Before it can start.
Oh to react:  “Please…Make my day!”
But “how could s/he?” toxic shock
Mutes any smart play.
To be a smooth "black or white" rock
No...I drift in shades of gray.

With a Cheshire sneer
Poof…you disappear.
But one day we’ll learn
Waiting on your return
For better and worse
When a “Lady or Master of the Universe”
Is so discord-averse
Yet not disinclined
To mess with your mind –
Hiding lethal claws
In a self-righteous cause
While a “please be so kind”
Becomes a legal clause.
Before I start to churn
Let us give pause…

There now dawns a new day
No need to beg and pray
No false self to betray.
For with vision and verse
Let me be terse:
You can’t touch my core
Like you did once before.
So whatever you choose
For me, there’s nothing to lose…
I’ve stopped keeping score
And won’t sing those old blues
As I finally, yes really
Show you the door!



** A Stress Doc neologism:  a callous, perverted mix of Darth Vader and Social Darwinism

©  Mark Gorkin  2016
Shrink Rap ™ Productions


Mark Gorkin, MSW, LICSW, "The Stress Doc" ™, a nationally acclaimed speaker, writer, and "Psychohumorist" ™, is a former psychotherapist and Stress & Violence Prevention Consultant for the U.S. Postal Service.  Mark is a Trauma Debriefing and Critical Incident Consultant for variety of organizations, including the national post-earthquake, Nepali Behavioral Health & Wellness Initiative. He has led numerous Pre-Deployment Stress Resilience-Humor-Team Building Retreats for US Army Senior Officers and Sergeants. The Doc is the author of Practice Safe Stress, The Four Faces of Anger, and Resiliency Rap ™.  His latest, soon to be published book, Fierce Longing…Fiery Loss:  Relearning to Let Go, Laugh, and Love.  Mark’s award-winning, USA Today Online "HotSite" – www.stressdoc.com – was called a "workplace resource" by National Public Radio (NPR).  Email stressdoc@aol.com for more info.

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