We all avoid difficult conversations. It’s highly stressful and there’s always the potential to get hurt or hurt someone.

But life can’t be smooth-sailing all the time. Sometimes, we need to go through tough conversations to resolve issues, right a wrong, or improve relationships.

Examples of tough conversations:

• Handling an irate customer.
• Complaining about a bad product or service.
• Breaking bad news to someone (for example firing an employee).
• Confronting someone with a different opinion.
• Admitting you are wrong.

These conversations are hard but they are essential. To be able to do this, remember these five points the next time you are (or about to be) in a tough conversation:

1. Manage your emotions

   It’s important to stay calm so that you’ll be able to gather your thoughts and speak clearly. Don’t meet the other person’s level of anger when arguing. No agreement will be reached during a shouting match. It can also lead to violence which can get both of you in deeper trouble.

   Pause when emotions are running high. Don’t tell the other person to stay calm because it might have the opposite effect. Instead, let the other person speak first and listen. Do your best to keep your voice at a normal tone when you answer.

2. Know your objective

   Be clear about what you need to accomplish. Is it to reach a consensus or agreement? Is it to convey feedback or a solution to help someone (or something) become better or more effective? It’s important to remember your objective because it’s easy to get sidetracked. Always move towards the resolution you’re working for.

3. Listen and validate

   Focus on what the other person is saying and try to see things from their perspective. Listening and validating the other person’s experience can help them calm down and make them more receptive to what you have to say. What does validating mean? It means recognizing the other person’s experience or perspective as important and worthwhile. Look at this example:

   Employee 1: I wanted to talk to you about your attitude at the meeting this morning. I didn’t appreciate the way you dismissed my feedback and suggestions about the X Project.

   Employee 2: You deserved it! You were asking so many questions about the project when you clearly don’t understand the amount of work I did to launch it. I worked day and night to be able to meet our deadline. It’s an amazing project and you are probably just jealous. You were demeaning my work and accomplishments in front of our bosses and the team!

   Employee 1: That was not my intention at all. But I understand how you feel. You’ve spent many hours on the project, you have the right to be protective about your work. As I have said in the meeting, X Project is an amazing tool with a great potential to benefit the entire company. I wanted to share constructive feedback with you to make sure that your hard work won’t go to waste and benefit more than one department in the organization.

   Employee 2: I may have been too emotional this morning with everything that has been going on. Let’s meet to talk more about your feedback and suggestions.

   Employee 1: Looking forward to it. I appreciate your time.

4. Stay on topic

   Be clear about the issue and keep the conversation about it. State facts as clearly and respectfully as you can. Don’t bring up unrelated issues or past mistakes (unless they are relevant). Also don’t assume anything, just keep an open mind. In the example above, Employee 2 incorrectly assumed that Employee 1 was jealous because they were providing feedback. This clouded Employee 2’s judgement.

   Another thing is to never resort to personal insults or name-calling when the conversation heats up. It’s hurtful and immature. Don’t do the same when the other person does this. Take the high road and stay on track.

5. End amicably

   As much as possible, end on an agreement. Be gracious if you “win” the argument and the other person admits their fault (if it’s that type of argument). Never gloat. If the conversation does not end in an agreement, it is perfectly fine to agree to disagree. The video below shows what language to use to do this properly:

   
   Expressions for conceding a point in English, Jennifer ESL
    
   Article updated May 27, 2024.
    
   Sources: This is how to have tough conversations, E.B. Johnson, Start it up; and How to have difficult conversations at work, Ashira Prossack, Forbes. Accessed October 6, 2021.