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Conflict with Your Manager: DESC Model
Manager crossed a line or made an error affecting you. DESC: Describe, Express, Specify, Consequence. Each in a sentence.
Goal
Beat 2 toxic options: 1) silence + endurance (destroys health), 2) emotional outburst (destroys relationship). DESC is the 3rd.
Steps
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1
Identify situation. Don't address on event day — wait 24-48 hrs. Calm before convo.
Expected Outcome
Immediate
You leave convo with dignity intact and relationship intact. Nearly impossible without DESC.
Evidence base
School: Assertiveness Training / DBT
Founders: Sharon & Gordon Bower · Marsha Linehan (1976)
DESC model from Sharon & Gordon Bower in "Asserting Yourself" (1976). Adopted by Marsha Linehan in DBT. Foundation of organizational assertiveness training.
Keywords
Frequently asked questions
How long does "Conflict with Your Manager: DESC Model" take?
This exercise takes about 45 minutes, practiced with another person in a Inner dialogue format.
When will I notice the effect of "Conflict with Your Manager: DESC Model"?
You leave convo with dignity intact and relationship intact. Nearly impossible without DESC. In the short term: Within a month, specified behavior shifts 70%. What doesn't, you know manager isn't manage-up-able.
Is "Conflict with Your Manager: DESC Model" evidence-based?
Yes — it draws on Assertiveness Training / DBT (Sharon & Gordon Bower, Marsha Linehan (1976)). DESC model from Sharon & Gordon Bower in "Asserting Yourself" (1976). Adopted by Marsha Linehan in DBT. Foundation of organizational assertiveness training.
Is "Conflict with Your Manager: DESC Model" suitable for beginners?
Its difficulty level is: Advanced. No external tools required — it can be practiced directly inside the app.
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