This week starts a series of blog posts on difficult conversations. Over the coming weeks, you’ll find content surrounding what is and how to have a challenging conversation. So let’s begin…

Difficult conversations are what make the world turn. Having them effectively allows us to become better people, create better companies, have better relationships, and take steps towards a more peaceful world. Anticipating them can cause great anxiety. Having them can heighten all sorts of emotions. And when they go poorly, it can cause great hurt and pain.

So the first question, what does a well-done difficult conversation look like, is: What is the end goal?

A well-done difficult conversation allows all parties to leave feeling heard and seen. And it garners the first actionable steps toward a plan, with these steps actually being completed by the responsible parties.

Examples of difficult conversations:

• Ending a relationship
• Talking to a coworker or friend who behaves offensively or makes suggestive comments
• Giving the boss feedback about her behavior
• Approaching a boss who is breaking his own policies
• Addressing a conflict with a co-worker
• Asking for a raise at work
• Talking to someone who isn’t keeping commitments
• Letting someone you care about know how their words or actions have hurt you
• Talking to your partner about relationship problems
• Talking to a colleague who is hoarding information or resources
• Setting limits and boundaries
• Expressing an unmet need
• Saying no

Next week check back, we’ll be diving into the first steps of how to have a difficult conversation.