Recently on Sky News an Australian cricketer was explaining how he had dumped a prominent player from the team “but it won’t make a difference to our friendship” Is that possible?
How many of us put off having one of those difficult conversations. When we do have them do you still feel comfortable afterwards? Or when someone ‘tells it to you ‘ how good do you feel?
It is one of the most difficult communications to have when there is a relationship at stake. Yet it is the basis of a successful and deep relationship.
Thinking about your emotions and taking into consideration their feelings during an exchange of views is a hard ask; however if you can ‘say it as it is’ and keep the relationship intact you are doing well.
Likewise if you can ‘hear’ the other person and not put up the barricades or tear down their message you are keeping the lines of communication open.
Some of the tempting tools we use include :sarcasm (tempting though) , attack (yes it is the first line of defence) and of course the old favourites tears and the silent treatment.
None of these are conducive to maintaining friendship and add to the sometimes quick demise of your relationship.
It’s not easy having the courageous converstaion and sometimes they don’t work out as well as you would like .
When that happens always remember a sincere apology can work wonders.