Handle disagreement or take a pause · D3.14

Agree on a pause during conflict

A disagreement is becoming too difficult to continue productively.

Everyday practice

Try these steps

1. State that you want to pause and name what you need without blaming the other person.
2. If appropriate and mutually wanted, agree how you will decide whether and when to return to the topic.
3. Use the break in an ordinary way that suits you; you do not owe a return to an unsafe or unwanted conversation.

An example

I need to stop this discussion for now. We can check later whether we are ready to continue.

Reflect

Was the pause clear, and did it preserve a meaningful choice for both people?

Next time

Agree on a pause phrase in advance if that would help future discussions.