| Courageous conversations involve discussing topics that you would rather avoid. They are often known as “undiscussable” because they are difficult to bring up and tricky to navigate. They take courage to initiate and require you to speak candidly and listen openly. However, they are also the conversations that can have the biggest impact on work relationships. There are four keys to successfully engage in a courageous conversation. These are derived from best practices in effective communication and conflict resolution, and frameworks that focus on difficult or high-stakes conversations, such as Crucial Conversations and Fierce Conversations:  Clarity of Purpose emphasizes the importance of knowing what you want to achieve before initiating the conversation. Make sure you are clear about your main objectives.  Emotional Regulation focuses on maintaining composure and not letting emotions derail the conversation. If you or the other person are getting emotionally triggered, it’s best to pause, take a break, or continue the conversation at a later time. Active Listening ensures that both parties feel heard and understood, which is crucial for productive dialogue. This requires being open, authentic, and truly willing to listen to the other person’s perspective. Assertiveness is about speaking candidly and truthfully, clearly and respectfully communicating your message. It also means standing firm on important points without being aggressive or blaming.Which of these skills are easy for you to engage in? Which ones require more practice or skill building? |
Four Keys to Courageous Conversations
