Difficult Topics The most difficult challenges Talking about
Difficult Topics
The most difficult challenges • Talking about painful subjects • Addressing hostile audiences • Giving short, understandable answers
U. S. diplomat’s experience defending post 9/11 actions • U. S. military action against terrorists in Aghanistan • Strong, negative reaction in Brazil • Severe criticism in press
Actions taken to address negative reaction • Ambassador in press and media • Embassy diplomats discussion tours • Began with least hostile audiences
Conclusions • Although audiences generally against • Not everyone in audience was hostile • Hostile questions could evoke sympathy • Do not assume audience is monolithic
How to prepare for difficult topics • Anticipate hardest questions • Prepare possible answers • Practice answers on friends
The “elevator” speech • Short, understandable answer to most common difficult questions • Cannot exceed two minutes
Creating your elevator speeches • Identify most likely topics • Create short answers • Try answers out on colleagues, friends • Refine your answers
Difficult Topics • Why does Ukraine discriminate against Russian-speakers? • Why does Ukraine think Crimea should be part of Ukraine? What about its historical ties to Russia? • Why doesn’t Ukraine respect the referendum in Crimea? • Why does Ukraine consider former Nazis to be national heroes? • Why does Ukraine today have fascists in its parliament? Aren’t ultra-right politicians the same as fascists? • Why does Ukraine tolerate so much corruption?
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