How to Have a Hard Conversation

Remember showing up imperfectly is better than not showing up at all. Avoiding the hard conversations ensures comfort. Confronting them invites growth. Which do you value more?

Define key terms being discussed in the hard conversation. If your "Someone" isn't texting you enough... What does "enough" mean to you? How do they define it? If it's regarding your performance at work, how does your boss define "productivity?" Often our conflicts are fueled by miscommunication more than anything else.

Replace judgement with curiosity. Curiosity turns an argument into a conversation. Instead of rushing to make your point, urge for more clarification. Replace rebuttals with, "I want to fully understand. Can you explain that to me a bit more?"

Allow room for silence. Even it's uncomfortable. Silence to process is better than speaking just to speak. This also gives the other person the opportunity to fully finish their thought.