Rephrase Difficult Conversations in Your Mind Before They Begin
Sometimes the hardest part of having a tough conversation with someone is getting started. If you need an extra boost, rethinking the conversation in your mind from a more positive perspective can help.
If you need to give bad news or negative feedback, the thought of a conversation is enough to make you nervous, nervous, and upset. Harvard Business Review’s Amy Gallo suggests minimizing these feelings and getting things off the ground by thinking of your “difficult” conversation as a normal conversation that can ultimately lead to something positive:
For example, instead of giving negative feedback on performance, you are having a constructive conversation about development. Or you don’t say no to your boss; you propose an alternative solution. This is not embellishment. Be honest with yourself about how difficult the conversation can be, but also frame it as constructively as possible.
You may have to talk about difficult things, but with the right mindset and approach, you can reduce the edge on both sides. The more constructive you can do, the better.
How to Mentally Prepare for a Difficult Conversation | Harvard Business Review