'Inviting difficult conversation by Karen Woodard Chavez

Let's start with a moment of truth. When someone tells you, "We need to talk," what is your first response? Is it, "Absolutely--what would you like to discuss?" Or do you experience a sinking feeling of dread and respond with some version of "What did I do wrong?" Similarly, what do you feel when you're the one saying, "We need to talk"? If you are more inclined to avoid difficult conversations than invite them, you should realize that you are trading short-term comfort for long-term dysfunction. For the best long-term results, you must be brave enough to start a conversation that matters. Otherwise, you will constantly repeat what you do not repair.