Library / The Executive Negotiator
FM-3 - Rapid Conversation Card
| Moment | Try | Protect |
|---|---|---|
| Emotion or accusation arrives | Label the apparent concern; mirror critical phrase | Do not defend before discovering cause |
| Demand hides the outcome | Ask: "What must this accomplish, and by when?" | Solve the need, not only stated position |
| You need a safe refusal | Ask a genuine No-oriented question or state a boundary | Do not disguise a no as false possibility |
| Commitment sounds soft | Ask what remains contingent and who must approve/perform | Never repeat tentative status as confirmed |
| Conversation is stuck | Summarize facts, concern, unresolved issue, and next decision | Avoid arguing past the real obstacle |