How to redirect the conversation (bridging)

Bridging is a technique used to nudge a conversation away from a negative or unanswerable question to a more positively framed answer or message.

Note: This is not used to avoid answering questions that should be answered. Bridging should be used to help ‘cool down’ a tense conversation.

Bridging Templates

  1. “And what’s most important to know is…”
  2. “However, what is more important to look at is…”
  3. “However, the real issue here is…”
  4. “And what this all means is…”
  5. “And what’s most important to remember is …”
  6. “With this in mind, if we look at the bigger picture…”
  7. “With this in mind, if we take a look back…”
  8. “If we take a broader perspective, …”
  9. “If we look at the big picture…”
  10. “Let me put all this in perspective by saying…”
  11. “What all this information tells me is…”
  12. “Before we continue, let me take a step back and repeat that…”
  13. “Before we continue, let me emphasize that…”
  14. “This is an important point because…”
  15. “What this all boils down to is…”
  16. “The heart of the matter is…”
  17. “What matters most in this situation is…”
  18. “And as I said before, …”
  19. “And if we take a closer look, we would see…
  20. “Let me just add to this that…”
  21. “I think it would be more correct to say…”
  22. “Let me point out again that…”
  23. “Let me emphasize again…”
  24. “In this context, it is essential that I note…”
  25. “Another thing to remember is…”
  26. “Before we leave the subject, let me add that…”
  27. “And that reminds me…”
  28. “And the one thing that is important to remember is…”
  29. “What I’ve said comes down to this…”
  30. “Here’s the real issue…”
  31. “While…is important, it is also important to remember…”
  32. “It’s true that…but it is also…”

Latest

Say No

How to accept a job offer

Thank you so much for this opportunity!I look forward...

How to ask for feedback

How to disagree (respectfully) with your boss's feedback How to...

How to ask for participation in a survey

Talking Points I wanted to let you know that you...

Newsletter

Don't miss

Say No

How to accept a job offer

Thank you so much for this opportunity!I look forward...

How to ask for feedback

How to disagree (respectfully) with your boss's feedback How to...

How to ask for participation in a survey

Talking Points I wanted to let you know that you...

How to disagree (respectfully) with your boss’s feedback

One of the hardest lessons to learn in life...

Say No

How to accept a job offer

Thank you so much for this opportunity!I look forward to working with you and meeting the rest of the team.I’m excited to geek out...

How to ask for feedback

How to disagree (respectfully) with your boss's feedback How to give feedback How to give a recommendation “To become more effective and fulfilled at work, people need...

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here