How can you maintain your excellent relationship with your adviser? Or if you’re not yet at a state of excellence, what steps can you take to get there?
Having a ‘renovation conversation’ is one way. A renovation conversation is a structured, honest, open-minded conversation with your adviser to fix problems and to help you understand each other. You will explain to your adviser what you need, and find out what s/he expects from you.
The concept is designed by life coach Samantha Sutton (link to www.samanthasuttonphd.com ) and has been taught in workshops at many university campuses. We provide a summarized version here only. Sutton teaches a much more comprehensive version.
Firstly, envision the relationship you want to have. Write it down in a few bullet points.
Secondly, list the things that are preventing you from having that relationship. Examine your own behavior, not just your adviser’s. Be honest.
Thirdly, schedule a meeting, explaining in advance you want to discuss your relationship. In the meeting:
It's based the concept of a 'renovation conversation', where you
1. Describe your common vision for the relationship/situation.
2. Are there problems? Explain them, focusing on what you need.
3. Apologies for your role in any problems
4. Ask for their perspective.
5. Make a practical plan for what you’ll both do next.
Finally, review how your meeting went, and try it again in the future. Maintaining a good relationship is an ongoing process.
The information summarized above is from The Renovation Conversation Tip Sheet from Dr. Samantha Sutton. Check it out for excellent
tips on how to "renovate" your relationship, and check out Dr. Sutton's website here: http://www.samanthasuttonphd.com
Having a ‘renovation conversation’ is one way. A renovation conversation is a structured, honest, open-minded conversation with your adviser to fix problems and to help you understand each other. You will explain to your adviser what you need, and find out what s/he expects from you.
The concept is designed by life coach Samantha Sutton (link to www.samanthasuttonphd.com ) and has been taught in workshops at many university campuses. We provide a summarized version here only. Sutton teaches a much more comprehensive version.
Firstly, envision the relationship you want to have. Write it down in a few bullet points.
Secondly, list the things that are preventing you from having that relationship. Examine your own behavior, not just your adviser’s. Be honest.
Thirdly, schedule a meeting, explaining in advance you want to discuss your relationship. In the meeting:
It's based the concept of a 'renovation conversation', where you
1. Describe your common vision for the relationship/situation.
2. Are there problems? Explain them, focusing on what you need.
3. Apologies for your role in any problems
4. Ask for their perspective.
5. Make a practical plan for what you’ll both do next.
Finally, review how your meeting went, and try it again in the future. Maintaining a good relationship is an ongoing process.
The information summarized above is from The Renovation Conversation Tip Sheet from Dr. Samantha Sutton. Check it out for excellent
tips on how to "renovate" your relationship, and check out Dr. Sutton's website here: http://www.samanthasuttonphd.com