Sometimes you can't decide how to approach a difficult exchange with your friend, colleague, parent, employee, teacher, relative, boss, or spouse.... Very often situations like this involve having to ask for something or say no to someone. Either way, it can be very tricky...
Pulling from my experience in facilitating Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skills groups, consider taking a moment to prioritize your needs before you dig in to the challenge. Do you need to: 1. Get your objectives met?? 2. Maintain the relationship? or 3. Maintain your self esteem? How you prioritize your needs will often change the degree to which you ask for something, say no, or respond to the needs of others. Prioritizing your needs might even help you get your own objectives met more effectively.
Let me know how it worked for you! Send me your story at rjs0825@gmail.com