The following procedure is recommended

IN this situation, we are prepared of our own accord,

  • to give something in order to get something,
  • to ask for alternative solutions,
  • to make own suggestions,
  • to reduce own demands.

Or: We pass the problem on to the other person by asking the other person for a solution:

  • “What do you think should be done.”
  • “How do you think the problem can be solved?”

Reaching an agreement helps the people involved to find a workable solution for everyone.

Example 1 - Help with moving

Peter couldn’t possibly carry out the move alone. So he asked his friend if he could help him for 6 hours that day. But the friend had tickets for a soccer match that very day and declined the request.

Practical application

IN that situation, Peter was prepared

  • to give something in order to get something: “I’ll reimburse you the price of the ticket”,
  • to ask for alternative solutions: “Does the team play on other days?
  • to make own suggestions: “We’ll watch the game on TV and I’ll buy dinner”,
  • to reduce own demands: “Could you maybe only help for 3 hours?”

Or: He passes the problem on to his friend by asking him for a solution:

  • What do you think should be done: “I’m at a loss. What would you do if you were me?”
  • How do you think the problem can be solved: “How would you solve the problem?”

Example 2 - Buying a car

The old car had to be replaced by a new vehicle. She had always raved about an expensive convertible with lots of horsepower. Her husband didn’t value luxury and preferred inconspicuous vehicles. A compromise was needed.

Practical application

IN the situation, the woman was ready,

  • to give something in order to get something: “We can agree on the interior design”,
  • to ask for alternative solutions: “Which brand would you like?
  • to make own suggestions: “It can also be a used car”,
  • to reduce own demands: “We open the top from June to September.”

Or: She passes the problem on to her husband by asking him for a solution:

  • What do you think should be done: “I have complied with your wishes the last two times. What do you think we should do?”
  • How do you think the problem can be solved: Her husband finally suggested buying a new vehicle with a sunroof.

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© 2024 PIRKA® Wolfgang Smidt. The content provided on this website is protected by copyright. Any use requires the prior written consent of the author. The information and advice provided has been compiled to the best of our knowledge and carefully checked. However, it is no substitute for expert psychological and medical advice in individual cases.

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PIRKA wishes you every success with the application.

Literature

Hinsch, R. & Pfingsten, U. (2007). Gruppentraining sozialer Kompetenz. München: Urban und Schwarzenberg.

Hinsch, R. & Wittmann, S. (2010). Soziale Kompetenz kann man lernen. Weinheim: Beltz.

Linehan, M. (2006). Trainingsmanual zur Dialektisch-Behavioralen Therapie der Borderline- Persönlichkeitsstörungen. München: CIP-Medien.