Tough conversations are tough because they feel bad. Long before we might actually conduct a tough conversation, we anticipate the possibility of it going poorly. We see that such a conversation could be a threat to our goals, freedom, safety, or happiness. So we habitually avoid tough conversations just to keep away the threats and bad feelings.
Of course, we sometimes need to have tough conversations. When we do, we can remind ourselves that we can handle anything. By being willingly vulnerable, going for the understanding, and seeking win-win, we can have any tough conversation at all.
In your corner,
Mike
PS: Negotiations, interviews, performance reviews and corrections, firing, and sales can all be tough conversations.