Let’s dive into a story about Emily, a ministar in the furniture business. She had recently gone through the wringer of a long and tumultuous divorce with Frank, her former husband and business partner, who happened to be a megastar in the same industry. Despite the messy divorce, they found themselves still joint owners of their beloved furniture business, albeit with no desire to cross paths again.
Now, picture this: Emily was at an industry convention, surrounded by curious colleagues who had a burning question in the back of their minds. They wondered what had happened between Emily and Frank and how this personal saga had affected their shared company. The air was thick with curiosity, but no one dared to breach the subject directly, and Emily was not volunteering any explanations.
At the gala farewell dinner, I had the privilege of being seated next to Emily. Apparently, one of her colleagues at the table couldn’t resist her curiosity any longer. During the dessert course, she leaned in, her voice hushed, and popped the question, “Emily, what happened with you and Frank?”
Emily, the epitome of poise and grace, was undisturbed by the rather rude question. She calmly scooped up a spoonful of cherries jubilee and replied, “We’ve separated, but the company is unaffected.”
But that wasn’t enough to satisfy the inquisitive colleague. She probed further, “Are you still working together?”
Emily, maintaining her composure, repeated, “We’ve separated, but the company is unaffected,” all while enjoying her dessert.
Not willing to give up, the persistent interrogator pressed on, “Are you both still working in the company?”
In response, Emily, with a gentle smile, scooped up the last cherry from her dish, looked her questioner directly in the eyes, and, like a well-rehearsed mantra, repeated once more, “We’ve separated, but the company is unaffected.”
That final utterance did the trick. Emily had elegantly displayed her big winner’s badge by employing a technique known as “The Broken Record.” It’s a simple yet remarkably effective way to curb unwanted cross-examinations.
The Broken Record Technique
When you find yourself in a situation where someone is persistently questioning you about a topic you’d rather not discuss, “The Broken Record” technique can come to your rescue. Here’s how it works:
- Repeat Your Original Response: Whenever the person persists in their line of questioning, simply repeat your initial response. Use precisely the same words and the same tone of voice as you did the first time.
- Stay Consistent: Maintain your composure and don’t allow their persistence to rattle you. Keep your response consistent.
- Quieting Effect: In most cases, hearing the same response again tends to quiet down the inquirer. They realize you won’t be drawn into a discussion on the topic.
- Flick Them Off, If Necessary: If the person clings to their line of questioning like a stubborn leech, continue to use “The Broken Record” technique. It will eventually help you detach them from the subject.
In essence, “The Broken Record” technique allows you to respond to unwanted inquiries firmly and gracefully, leaving no room for further interrogation. It’s a tool that big winners keep in their conversational arsenal for those moments when they wish to maintain their boundaries and privacy.