F When All Else Fails 211 there's a danger of just blurting out whatever words pop into your head when you're in the situation--and that simply won't do.You have to think carefully ahead of time about what you're going to say, and you must speak in a disciplined manner. You also have to have a plan for how to manage the difficult feelings you're bound to experience.This is a legitimate concern, because strong feelings can result in behavior you don't like in yourself. There are two big risks here. One is that you might not live up to who you think you are; the other is that you may get re- sults but damage the relationship. So let's move on to Step Two and look in more detail at the skills you'll need to communicate effectively and manage yourself with dignity and restraint. Step Two: Prepare and Deliver the Opening Statement