How to Start a Difficult Conversation at Work
7 Ways to Build the Courage and Break the Silence
That conversation kept you awake all night. You replay every detail: what you said, how the other person reacted, what you should have said. You can’t reconcile your emotions. The problem is, you never had the conversation. You only had it in your head.
That’s what happens when we avoid difficult conversations: issues don’t disappear. They hijack your headspace. The more you imagine the worst, the more anxious you get. The more you rehearse it, the less prepared you feel. Meanwhile, the gap between what needs to happen and what’s actually happening keeps growing. And your team stays stuck.
“Gustavo, how do I start?” is the question I hear most after a talk or workshop on Forward Talk.
If you’re struggling to start a difficult conversation, you’re not alone. People understand the cost of Conversational Debt. They just can’t find the first word. Here are seven ways to help you start.
1. The other person is already waiting for you
“I can tell.”
You’ve been putting off a pe…
