How To Have Difficult Conversations | Mel Robbins

Title: How To Have Difficult Conversations

Step-by-Step Tutorial:

1. Acknowledge Your Responsibility:

   • Start the conversation by acknowledging your responsibility in the situation.
   • Accepting some responsibility sets a level playing field for the conversation.
   • This helps in establishing a more open and honest dialogue.

2. Define Your Goal:

   • Before entering a difficult conversation, define an outcome or goal you want to achieve.
   • Having a clear goal will help you stay focused during the conversation.
   • The defined outcome will act as a stabilizer for your thoughts and emotions.

3. Give Constructive Feedback:

   • Commit to providing feedback that supports the other person's success.
   • When emotions run high, refer back to your goal to stay on track.
   • Avoid getting into arguments or debates; instead, focus on listening and validating the other person's perspective.

4. Listen and Validate:

   • Listen actively to what the other person is saying without interrupting.
   • Validate their feelings and perspective by acknowledging their point of view.
   • Validation helps in building trust and understanding during the conversation.

5. Keep Coming Back to the Outcome:

   • Continuously refer back to the defined outcome throughout the conversation.
   • Ensure that the discussion stays focused on achieving the desired goal.
   • Stay persistent and keep the conversation on track until you reach the intended outcome.

6. Practice and Rehearse:

   • To make difficult conversations easier, consider rehearsing the situation with a friend.
   • Practicing can help you become more comfortable with the process and improve your communication skills.
   • Rehearsing allows you to separate your emotions from the conversation and focus on the key points.

By following these steps and techniques, you can learn the skill of having difficult conversations effectively. Remember to acknowledge your responsibility, define your goal, give constructive feedback, listen and validate, focus on the outcome, and practice for better communication outcomes.