What do you say in a difficult conversation?
Instead, say the four sentences below to your friend:
- The biggest emotion that I’m feeling toward the person I need to have a difficult conversation with is…
- The biggest emotion that I expect the person is feeling toward me is…
- The gem statement I will make to them is…
- My hope for the conversation is…
Why are difficult conversations difficult?
Difficult conversations are often characterized by emotions such as fear, anger, frustration, conflict, and other strong dividing — not unifying — emotions. The emotion is often pent up and can be released rather strongly. Because emotions can run high on both sides, the conversation may become quite heated.
How do you handle difficult conversations at work?
12 Tips for Handling Difficult Conversations at Work
- Reframe the conversation in your mind.
- Understand your fears.
- Choose an appropriate setting.
- Practice, practice, practice.
- Listen to their side of the story.
- Give them time and space.
- Prepare real evidence.
- Avoid emotional language.
How do you deal with unpleasant conversations?
Handling Difficult Conversations Guidance, Tips and Best Practices
- Determine the purpose of the conversation.
- Adopt the right approach.
- Recognise and manage your emotional state.
- Challenge you own assumptions and beliefs.
- Plan the exchange.
- Provide an opportunity for preparation.
- Open the conversation.
Why is having difficult conversations important?
Having a ten-minute difficult conversation and not avoiding a scary subject ensures you stop being a victim of the situation and people in your life. Avoiding hard conversations leads us to swallow our feelings, which is unhealthy.
How do you prepare for a difficult conversation?
6 Tips for Having Difficult Conversations
- Sit down with yourself and make sure you can articulate clearly the core “why” of your concern or frustration.
- Make it a separate meeting.
- Schedule the conversation now.
- Prepare for your difficult conversation.
- Talk about what’s on your mind — then listen.
- Be thinking about next steps.