How to Have Difficult Conversations When You Don’t Like Conflict

If you dread discord, it can be natural to avoid or delay a difficult conversation. But this can hurt your relationships, and have other negative outcomes. You can learn to dive into these tough talks by reframing your thoughts. Begin from a place of curiosity and respect, and stop worrying about being liked. Then, instead of focusing on what you’re going to say, focus more on what you’re hearing from the other person. When you do speak up, be direct — and don’t put it off. All of this advice will be tough to follow if you can’t do one more thing: expect a positive outcome. Many people avoid hard talks because they fear the worst. If you expect the best, it will make it easier to keep the conversation constructive.