I’ve had many uncomfortable conversations throughout my life and it is indeed a skill to have. In fact, in my past career I was asked to speak to an upset prospect over the phone, I was asked to neutralise the situation even when the mistake was not done by me.
It’s simply because no one in the company knew how to deal with someone who’s very upset and angry.
I accepted the request and all I did was to listen and acknowledge the person by empathising how he was feeling at the time. I reassured that he had every right to feel angry and upset over what happened and I even let him know how the company I was representing would take steps to rectify the mistakes made.
After several rounds of reassuring and listening. He cooled down and even thanked me for having the conversation and he said that he would not take further actions.
From this experience, I learned that having difficult conversations is not only a skill but also an important tool in life. It allows us to navigate through tricky situations and handle conflict in a constructive manner. Avoiding difficult conversations can lead to even more problems down the line, and it is important to address any issue before it spirals out of control.
Having the ability to communicate effectively, listen actively, and empathise with the other party can make all the difference in resolving conflict. It also allows us to gain a better understanding of the situation and the perspectives of the others involved.
In conclusion, being able to have difficult conversations is an essential skill that everyone should strive to master. It can help us navigate through challenging situations, build stronger relationships and prevent conflicts from escalating. So, next time you find yourself in a tough situation, try to approach it with an open mind, active listening and empathy, it can make all the difference.
