The Issues Clearing Model

As a leader, you’ll inevitably encounter conflict, whether with your colleagues or team members. It might start as small quarrels that add up over time, sowing the seeds of resentment, or it might happen as one a big eruption that blocks the channels of communication immediately. You've lost control, you start disagreeing about the facts, the whole relationship is broken down. How do you move forward?

When communication has broken down, emotions are running high and resentment has taken hold, it’s time to call on the Issues Clearing Model - an essential tool for every leader by attraction. At first glance, the model feels strict and rigid, but that’s exactly why it works. By forcing everyone to take turns boxing up their emotions into the five elements of the model, you can get the communication done.

In this episode, for the first time since starting the podcast, I’m going to be covering a specific model and sharing detailed instructions on how to apply it yourself. Mathew and I talk about what the issues clearing model is, when to use it, the five elements of the model, why it’s important to follow the rules of engagement to the letter, how executives use this model in the workplace, and much more! I encourage you to gather your team and with the PDF in hand, work through this model together.

We’d love to hear about your experiences using the issues clearing model. Has it helped open back communication channels? Was it a challenge implementing it with your team? Is there any feedback you’d like to share with us?

Next week we’re talking all about vulnerability. It might not make sense right now but all I’m going to say is “loincloth and drum circles.” As always, send us your comments and feedback by email or through the form on our home page.

Key Topics:

• Why I’m cautious about covering the issues clearing model (0:50)
• The exercise I recommend for you to get the most out of this episode (1:45)
• How the seeds of resentment build in a relationship (3:01)
• Why issues clearing is so important for serious relationships (4:51)
• When to use the issues clearing model (5:42)
• The criteria that need to be met before using the issues clearing model (6:34)
• Why I prefer teams to work through the model together (7:03)
• The five elements of every interaction (7:44)
• How the issues clearing model overcomes the emotional hurdles in a disagreement (10:41)
• How to use my PDF to work through the five categories in the model (11:31)
• The vocabulary of feelings (12:03)
• Distinguishing between a feeling and a judgment (13:03)
• Why you should avoid using the term “I feel…” (13:39)
• Why it’s critical to clearly share what you want (14:36)
• The aspect that makes the issues clearing model work when other attempts at communication have failed (14:49)
• The one fundamental rule everyone must follow (15:27)
• The goal of the issues clearing model (17:13)
• Why you should try the model for the first time with a team (19:32)
• How I use the model in an informal way (20:33)
• Why the rules of engagement have to be followed (21:14)
• Why I believe that issues clearly should be a required skill set for executives (24:39)
• And much more!

Mentioned in this Episode:

• The Issues Clearing Model[AS1]
• The Emotional Intelligence Pyramid

See the show notes and a transcript at https://sheerclarity.com/podcasts/the-issues-clearing-model