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September 16, 2014 Open Difficult Conversations with the Punchline Many of us dread initiating difficult conversations, like giving negative feedback and delivering bad news, so we often inadvertently make the encounter more uncomfortable by dancing around the main point. Instead, lead with the punchline: be direct and get to the conclusion in the first sentence. This isn't callous or unnecessarily harsh; getting the "cringe" moment over with early is actually much more considerate than dragging the conversation out. This approach reduces everyone's anxiety and reduces the risk of a misunderstanding. And here's something else to consider: we often overestimate how difficult it is for other people to hear what we have to say. Remember that people are resilient, and recognize when your own discomfort is keeping a conversation from happening. Adapted from " How to Start a Conversation You're Dreading" by Peter Bregman. |
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