How many numbers do you have blocked and only get a No Longer in Service tone when they attempt to reach you? How often do you let the sun rise and set again on conversations that you know will be challenging to have?
Here’s a quote that changed my perspective on the topic of difficult conversations: The level of success you’ll achieve can be determined by the level of difficult conversations you can have. I want to be successful at whatever I do. And, accomplishing anything of significance is hard.
I’ve found that the longer I wait to have a hard talk only compounds my stress. Potentially, it also makes the consequences of the issue at hand even greater than it needed to be.
The level of success you’ll achieve can be determined by the level of difficult conversations you can have.
When I look back, I can find instances of tense conversations that needed to be had that I created the environment for. Whether it was a relationship that needed some issues resolved, bills that were due, or whatever the case may be. It was my fault, and I needed to address it.
Other times, things needed to be addressed simply because I was involved and not necessarily because I’d initiated the conflict.
Whatever the case may be, delaying the difficult conversation can be just as harmful, if not more so, as misunderstanding the other side or delivering your position in bad form. At least, in these cases, the table is set to hash it out.
It’s always better, in the end, to just make the call.