I was thinking earlier about difficult conversations and how so many of us run from them. I often wonder, as someone who has been known to start difficult conversations, but also put myself out there to be asked difficult questions how others may feel when such conversations are approached.
I recently was presented with a situation with someone I know- and without going into detail- I was given some information that many would have probably talked about behind the persons back, but not confronted them with it. It was extremely delicate and without going into detail- I knew that I couldn’t pretend I didn’t know. I reached out and asked to talk to them- and we did. The conversation was hard, definitely for me- but even more so for them. I did my best to approach it gently and with as much love and compassion as I have. There was no judgement on my part, but I know the person felt it awkward, because had the roles been reversed I certainly would have.
But it makes me curious as to how others handle difficult conversations? I ‘try’ (key word there) not to judge anyone when I don’t understand or agree with something, but rather try to have a conversation. I know that pain and shame runs deep and more often than not- people tend to shut down difficult conversations when it requires them to stretch their thinking process outside of the norm.
While I may not agree- and I may even find myself frustrated (which I know to ask myself why and dig deeper within when I do) I am always open to an authentic conversation. It doesn’t mean everyone is & that has everything to do with themselves and not me.
Food for thought for myself- and my own personal research is to ask others what is their first reaction when asked a difficult question that is going to lead into a possible difficult and uncomfortable conversation?