This is part two of a two-part series about how to have difficult conversations. In part one, I introduced the Transactional Analysis model of ego states and transactions, and why understanding which state you're operating from can genuinely change how a conversation goes. It's worth a read before diving into this one, though these tools will make sense on their own too. Knowing the theory is one thing. Using it when you're in the middle of a [...]

Why Difficult Conversations Feel So Hard Most of us have a conversation we've been putting off. Perhaps there's something at work that isn't working; a friendship that's become one-sided, a situation at home that needs to be addressed but we’re ducking. We know we need to say something, but the thought of actually saying it feels too much. Not only our own stress and anxiety, but also the worry about how the other person is going to react. [...]