How to handle difficult conversations?
Life isn’t simple always and at times we have to have the conversations which are not easy. For say, you have to tell your partner about their annoying habits, inform your loyal employee that they are fired, notify your old business client that you don’t want to continue dealing with them, pass on sad news to your friend or family member.
Handling tough talks requires courage and emotional intelligence. Learning to handle such situations with ease while passing across the message effectively can help you on both personal and professional fronts. Like any other skill practising can help in mastering the art of complex conversation. People who have mastered this art standout a chance to be an exceptional people leader.
What makes these conversations difficult?
As humans we are emotional species and on ground of good moral values, we like to keep everyone happy around us but when we have to share something unpleasant with anyone then we feel awkward. Hence, there is a conflict between our moral values and the situation, which makes it hard to have such conversations.
Here are some tips to handle hard conversations
Don’t delay or avoid
It’s natural to delay or avoid the situations which are uncomfortable. For example, if you have received enough signals to guess that your partner is cheating on you rather than waiting to catch them red handed. It’s better to confront straight away because you are wasting your time and hurting your sentiments. Such problems won’t go away until addressed. So, why not to have the conversation on time than having it later?
See from the mountain view
When we think deep, chances are high that we can get carried away. Before even having a conversation it’s important to understand the purpose and its outcome. So, without thinking too much into the detail, prepare yourself to focus on objective and goal of the conversation.
Check what best you can do to help the recipient
A tough conversation can potentially cause damage to the one who is at the receiving end. Having a thought around if you can lend support in any possible way and offering it during the conversation can help the recipient in abating the damage. This can essentially help in building trust and improving overall relation with receiver as well.
Share with boldness and honesty
While in conversation be honest and confront the receiver with boldness. Keep in mind, that recipients can get in complete denial mode. So, open the conversation to set the background if required and then put across your message honestly.
Don’t manipulate and console too much
To avoid hurting others emotionally you can end up manipulating the message. Particularly, when recipients are unable to control their emotions and break down during the conversations. This can force you to console them, which is acceptable at an extent but consoling too much can steal the chance to pass along the right message.
Choose right words
Studies have proved that words have deep impact on human brain. Although, its suggested to always choose the right words but it’s more likely that people feel offended and get hurt while having hard conversation. Words can inflict pain or bring joy. Based on the situation choosing words carefully can help in passing the message with grace and foster better relationship with the recipient.
Summary:
Handling difficult conversation can be tricky due to conflict and emotional shake down involved in it. However, it’s possible to improve it with practise. To sum up, here are the steps that can help you in handling tough conversation in a better way.
1) Don’t delay or avoid
2) See from the mountain view
3) Check what best you can do to help the recipient
4) Share with boldness and honesty
5) Don’t manipulate and console too much
6) Choose right words
