Communications Skills in the workplace and life  As a
psychologist in the Sydney CBD, many of my clients come to me
suffering from stress and anxiety. Whilst the reasons for their
distress are as varied as the clients themselves, there is a
theme that appears time and time again in both middle managers
and executives. It has something to do with an individual?s
ability to manage the anxiety that arises from disappointing
others, facing conflict, challenging other people or simply
?saying no? to other people. It is this anxiety that people seek
relief from and the best solution I find is to take a two-
pronged approach. The first is to identify why it is so
difficult for people to ?say no? and face real or imagined
criticism or conflict from others. The second is to provide the
skills of having ?crucial conversations?. The first step is
essential since to focus on skills training without recognising
powerful internal drivers to avoid anxiety often ?at all costs,?
means that crucial conversations simply can?t be