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Issue 4 > Five tips for having an uncomfortable conversation.

Five tips for having an uncomfortable conversation.

Pamela Ziemann presents what seems like an odd way to do better business.

The experts agree that having uncomfortable conversations is the best way to succeed in your business. Personally, I think a lot of us come to life when someone mentions the unmentionable. Think of Seinfeld. They brought up so many taboo topics, they had viewers coming back for more.

When I look back at my own business, I realize how it stagnated when I held back saying something that needed to be said. There's something very gutsy and admirable about people who say what others might be thinking.

Why don't more of us do it? If you're like most people, you've heard the old cliche, 'If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.' Well, those days are over. If you don't want to be the 'nice guy' who finishes last, it's time to learn how to have an uncomfortable conversation.

You can do it without burning bridges and actually be more connected. It is possible to have uncomfortable conversation while adding a twist of compassion.

Here are five tips for making uncomfortable conversations a little easier for everyone.

1 Plan for it when you can think critically rather than emotionally. Set up a time that works for both of you. Tell them you have something important you'd like to talk with them about, what it is and about how long it will take.

Having an appointment insures that you'll be proactive rather than reactive. Just because you heard it's a good idea to have an uncomfortable conversation doesn't mean you'll want have it when you're stressed out.

It can be tempting to send an email, but it's not the best way to have an uncomfortable conversation. After all, email is a one way point of view (your view), conversation is two way. Letting the other person have a voice and then understanding it from their point of view helps them feel good about it too.

2 Focus on what will change because of having the conversation, not how uncomfortable it might be. Reward yourself for having the courage to initiate the conversation.

You might even say to yourself, 'As soon as I've had this conversation, I'm going to celebrate by… (the more difficult the conversation, the greater the reward!)

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