How Do You Use Active Listening Skills To Have A Difficult Conversation?
If you avoid having difficult conversations for any reason, you’re missing an opportunity to communicate and solve problems at an early stage before they can fester. Avoiding difficult conversations can cost you relationships and promotions. Here is an approach that will help you navigate through uncomfortable dialogues. Mentally prepare before you approach the other person. Your goal is not to “win.” Your goal is to learn the other person’s story and share information. When you do this, you can express your feelings and views in a way that will be heard. This helps create a feeling of safety among both parties, which fosters problem-solving. Choose a time to talk when you can be free of distractions. Don’t stare at a TV or computer screen while the other person is talking. Encourage the other person to share his story. Restate what the other person is telling you, paraphrasing rather than parroting. This lets the speaker know she has been heard and gives her the opportunity to correct
