The Stabilizer and the Broken Record

The "Stabilizer" technique to clarify positions.

The "Stabilizer" technique is an assertive communication tool used at the beginning of a dialogue to clarify the positions and rights of all parties involved, thus creating a balanced basis for negotiation.

Its purpose is to avoid misunderstandings from the outset by acknowledging the legitimacy of the other's perspective before presenting one's own.

For example, instead of accusing someone of leaving early, a manager might say, "I understand that you have the right to end your workday at five o'clock. At the same time, as a representative of the company, I have the right to expect the agreed-upon work to be delivered on schedule."

Doing this "stabilizes" the conversation, recognizing both points of view as valid and transforming a potential conflict into a collaborative search for a solution that respects the needs of both parties.

The "Disco Rayado" technique for persistently repeating a message

The "Disco Rayado" technique consists of repeating a key message persistently and calmly, but varying the form, until the other person understands and recognizes it.

It is especially useful in situations where we feel that our message has not been heard or is being ignored.

The key is not to repeat the same words robotically, which could sound aggressive, but to reiterate the same idea in different formulations.

For example, if you've asked a team member to complete a task, you might remind them first in a direct way, then with a question ("How are you doing with the report I asked for?") and later with an observation ("I see the report isn't in the shared folder yet").

This polite persistence, similar to a broken record, ensures that the message is not lost, without the need to escalate to a conflict.

Summary

The "Stabilizer" technique is used at the beginnin