if you're about to have a difficult conversation do this number one don't start with how are you difficult conversations aren't the time for small talk the first thing that should come out of your mouth is thank you for making time to talk to me number two your very next sentence is I need your help with X I need your help knowing what to do about this I need your help knowing how to feel about this as long as you start with I need your help you take it from opponents to teammates number three when it's
time to end the conversation you can wrap it up by saying something like well I feel more settled about this or I feel like we're headed in a better Direction but you have to follow it up with how about you and then just be quiet now they might say something they may not that's totally up to them but the important part is that you made space for it and that's how you have a difficult conversation so try that and follow me
