Doing Life With Dom at
Coach Dominique Services
Keep conversations calm, even when the situation is not.
4 Questions to ask yourself before you respond
Have you ever walked into a conversation thinking: “I’m going to handle this differently this time…”
but somewhere in the middle, it shifts? (Available for download below)
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Your tone changes
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You feel it in your body
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And before you know it… it escalates
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It’s not that you don’t know better.
It’s that the moment moves faster than your awareness.
That’s where this checklist comes in.
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​Before you respond, pause—and ask yourself these 4 questions.
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Catch The Trigger
1. What just triggered me?
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What was said—or how was it said?
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What am I feeling right now (frustration, defensiveness, hurt)?
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Is my reaction about this moment… or something deeper?
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👉 Awareness is what interrupts automatic reactions.
Assess The Perspective
2. What else could be true here?
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Am I assuming intent… or do I actually know it?
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Could they be stressed, rushed, or misunderstood?
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What might this look like from their perspective?
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👉 Shifting perspective softens escalation.
Lead With Respect
3. How do I want to show up right now?
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Do I want to prove a point… or protect the conversation?
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What tone would reflect calm and clarity?
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How can I express myself without attacking?​
👉 Your delivery determines the direction.
Maintain & Repair
4. What will keep this conversation steady?
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If tension rises, how can I slow it down?
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What words can help reset instead of escalate?
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What matters more: being right… or being effective?
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👉 You don’t need a perfect response—just a grounded one.
You don't need to avoid difficult conversations. You just need a way to stay grounded inside them.
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More clarity
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More respect
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Less escalation
If you want personalized support applying this in your real conversations: