Do you know about U-shaped conversations?

Rock any convo with this technique ⏰ Reading time 1 minute

U-shaped conversations start and end nicely, making it easier to talk about hard things in the middle without causing upset. This way, everyone stays calm and open to finding solutions. It ends on a good note, keeping relationships strong.

It is like the ‘feedback-sandwich’-technique, yet applicable on more than just feedback conversations.

I use it mostly on

• Sales calls

• Problem interviews

1. Easy stuff to start with

• Don’t bombard them with hard questions at the start.

• Talk about recent wins by them

• Talk about what they like about their job or thing

2. Hard stuff in the middle

• Whip out the problems and challenges

• You can be critical of their responses and ask follow-up questions

• Be sure not to overdo it, hard doesn’t equal mean

3. Easy stuff to end with

• Talk about aspirations and ambitions

  • “Where do you want to be etc”

• Talk about future meetings where you will help to solve issues at hand