Hi Homer-

Last week we had a meeting where I was asked to leave, by one of our partners, as the discussion turned to a particular topic. It was an awkward ask because I wasn't prepared with advance knowledge about the circumstances. I was angry, irritated but also confused - the context was not there (yet) for me so I had little to work with. I went immediately to both the performance journal and the telling ourselves stories log, which together helped me formulate my thoughts and come up with a clear pathway for discussion in confronting the partner at our next in person opportunity.

When that opportunity arose I was prepared, and the confidence I had as a result of the telling ourselves stories practice kept the conversation very direct and to the point - no drama. After discussing why the request was made - ie filling in the context - I understood and agreed with the ask, and that understanding diffused what would have been an ongoing tension. It's clear to me that addressing issues that arise out of lack of context or misunderstandings can be an important opportunity to strengthen relationships that would otherwise risk being weakened and possibly end up disintegrating.