People who work (or live!) with me often hear me say "communication is key", so I consider open communication my main strategy.

However, when I'm preparing for a difficult conversation, I use a few additional strategies:

- Preparation: I want to make sure I have all the relevant information and a clear understanding of the issue at hand.

- Empathy and Respect: These are crucial for creating a safe space that encourages open dialogue. It's important to avoid personal attacks or blame.

- Active Listening: This is a key skill developed in coaching. Giving someone your full attention and demonstrating understanding can significantly enhance communication.

- Focus on Solutions: After presenting the situation and the different points of view, it's time to explore potential solutions. This helps keep the conversation productive and constructive.

- Staying Calm: While it can be challenging depending on the topic of the conversation or the people involved, it will help keep the conversation on track and prevent escalation, even if the other person becomes upset or defensive.

- Follow-up: After the conversation, I send a brief, clear and always respectful email to summarise what we agreed on. This helps to focus on the solutions and therefore the positive outcomes.

This list is not exhaustive, but it's a good start :)

And you, how do you approach difficult conversations?