Identify Emotional Intent to Ease Difficult Conversation
Arguing with someone about a problem or concern is difficult from the start. However, if you approach it in terms of expressing your own emotions, it becomes even more difficult. Before you speak, identify the emotional goal you want to end the conversation with.
As author and communications expert Dr. Marcia Reynolds explains, your own emotions can set the tone for a difficult conversation and determine the outcome before you even speak. Instead, collect your thoughts before starting the conversation and approach the conversation with a specific emotional purpose:
Set an emotional intent for the conversation. If you are angry or frustrated to begin with, the other person will never open up. How do you want him or her to feel? Inspired? Hope? Use this word as an anchor when speaking.
The emotional goal might be what you want to take off yourself or how you want the other person to respond, but at least this should lead to a constructive solution to the problem. Pouring your anger on someone will only upset them in response and perpetuate the cycle.
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