Activity: Translation Lab

Instructions:

1. Do NOT defend yourself.
2. Do NOT use the word “I” (e.g., “I think…”).
3. Do NOT ask “Why?”

YOUR TOOLKIT (Use these starters):

• “It seems like…”
• “It sounds like…”
• “I notice…”

Mission Profile: You are facing High-Energy Aggression. Your target is attacking your competence and using fear. Objective: Disarm the anger without fighting back.

Your 4 Toxic Inputs (Translate these):

1. The Insult:

• • Target says: “I don’t think you have the experience to handle an account of this size. Get me your boss.”
  • Your Gut Reaction (DON’T SAY THIS): “I have 10 years of experience and I am the lead on this!”
  • Your Neutralizing Response: _________________________

2. The Ultimatum:

• • Target says: “This is our final offer. Take it or leave it right now.”
  • Your Gut Reaction (DON’T SAY THIS): “You’re being unreasonable, we need to talk about this.”
  • Your Neutralizing Response: _________________________

3. The Explosion:

• • Target says: (Yelling) “This is a disaster! You guys messed everything up! I’m cancelling the contract!”
  • Your Gut Reaction (DON’T SAY THIS): “Calm down! It’s not that bad, we can fix it.”
  • Your Neutralizing Response: _________________________

4. The Threat:

• • Target says: “If you don’t lower the price by 20%, I’m going to your competitor tomorrow.”
  • Your Gut Reaction (DON’T SAY THIS): “Go ahead, their quality is garbage compared to ours.”
  • Your Neutralizing Response: _________________________