"Early in my career, I ran into a very experienced professor who was very stuck in his way of doing things. Despite new state standards and a need for a new history curriculum, he was quick to buck the new curriculum heading into the program year. Having a lot of great data to support the new program, I sat down with him, and we had a heart-to-heart conversation where I presented all of the data that was driving the decision for the state. My approach was to deliver my message while also listening to his concerns. When he brought up valid concerns, I listened attentively and eased his resistance by highlighting some of the critical changes that would be happening with the new program. In the end, he left our conversation in a much better mood and even ended up thanking me for the time I took later on in the year."
