Courage and difficult conversations
~ The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place, but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment ~
Dorothy Nevill
For each of us, the world has temporarily changed as we know it.
What this means and how this looks will be different for each person and family.
Particularly at this time of uncertainty, we are regularly confronted with difficult situations that need us to have confronting, difficult conversations. Conversations that require courage.
A courageous conversation requires you to speak up and express how you feel about the issues that are weighing you down.
Being able to articulate your thoughts and opinions is not always easy and they can be misinterpreted leading to more awkward situations.
Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable
At Affectus we regularly ask people to “get comfortable with being uncomfortable”.
What does being uncomfortable look like for you?
For me the “unknown” manifests all sorts of levels of uncomfortable, but more importantly having conversations about what the unknown means and looks like is daunting.
How do you start these tricky conversations?
How do you find your voice?
The decision that a courageous conversation is needed is the first step…..well done!!!
Courageous tips for courageous conversations
- Fear and Ego can get in the way. Let them go
- Know why you want to have the conversation. Be clear
- Discomfort is highly likely. Be prepared
- Have realistic expectations
- Be calm and in the right frame of mind especially if it’s a sensitive issue
- Don’t talk too much. Listen. Conversations are two way. Talk with people, not at them
- Be vulnerable
It’s time to be brave and start having those courageous conversations; start being open, transparent and honest…you will become more resilient and it will have a wonderful effect.
~ What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything? ~
Vincent Van Gogh