In chapter 9 of Crucial Confrontations… the authors talk about The Twelve “Yeah-Buts”: How to Deal with the Truly Tough. As you read the various “yeah-but” statements from these highly reflective people that made them, you could either identify with the statement they were making, know someone just like that, or you are aware of a situation of that nature. Reflect on the quote by Charles Osgood, “There are no exceptions to the rule that everybody likes to be an exception to the rule.”
How can the concept (yeah-but) become unproductive when trying to understand and resolve conflict?
What are some of the tools available to help people get past the “yeah-but” and start having “crucial” dialog?
What is your interpretation of the Charles Osgood quote?
Why do some think that their situation is an “exception to the rule?”