How to Stay on Track & Handle Difficult Situations
This handy Decision Tree PDF Decision Tree.pdf can help you stay focused while navigating questions effectively. It will provide a structured pathway for responding appropriately while sticking with the education goals.
Now that you have the decision tree, lets talk about some common scenarios
What to do when seconds matter:
Not every interaction will allow for a full discussion or lesson. Sometimes, you’ll only have 60-90 seconds to engage a participant effectively. The timing and flow outline you learned earlier makes those moments count.
30 Second Response
60 Second Response
90 Second Response
30 Second Response
Whole grains are packed with fiber, which helps keep you full longer and supports heart health. When shopping, check for whole grain as the first ingredient on the back of the package—it’s a small change that can make a big difference!
60 Second Response
Whole grains are a great source of fiber, which helps with digestion and keeps you feeling full longer. The goal is to make at least half of your grains whole grains, so try swapping in whole grain versions of foods you already eat—like whole wheat bread or brown rice. When choosing whole grains, flip the package over and check the ingredient list—look for ‘whole grain’ or ‘whole wheat’ listed first. Small changes like this can make a big difference over time!
90 Second Response
Whole grains contain the entire seed, while refined grains have had their nutrients stripped away, leaving just the starchy inside. Whole grains are packed with fiber to support digestion, keep you full longer, and provide steady energy. To get the most benefits, aim to make at least half of your grains whole grains. An easy way to start is by swapping foods you already eat—like choosing whole wheat bread or brown rice. If you have extra time, I’d be happy to share the ‘half-and-half’ method for pasta to ease into the change. When shopping, flip the package over and check the ingredient list—look for ‘whole grain’ or ‘whole wheat’ listed first. Small swaps like this can make a big difference in how you feel and stay energized.
What to do when you don’t know the answer:
- Stick to what you know—it’s okay to say,
- That’s a good question! I don’t know, but I’ll find out.
- That’s a good question! You should talk to your health care provider about that.
- If it’s relevant to your topic, use the group’s collective knowledge by inviting input.
Someone brought up a sensitive topic:
- Acknowledge participants’ lived experiences and approach with empathy.
- Practice trauma-informed communication by actively listening and acknowledging their experiences. Lead with empathy. You don’t have to go through the same thing to understand how others’ may feel based on their experiences.
Not sure what empathy is? Check out this video from Brene Brown:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw
Recap: The qualities of empathy include:
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- Perspective taking- the ability to take the perspective of another person or recognize their perspective as their truth
- Stay out of judgement
- Recognizing emotions in others and communicating that
- Empathy is feeling with people.