4 Savvy Ways To Avoid Those Awkward Holiday Conversations
If thinking about those potentially awkward conversations is angsty for you, these savvy tips could help you feel settled before you go, and even make for valuable connections once you get there!
(And you can use them outside of the holiday as well.)
1) Start with empathy
When someone shares their well-thought-out views on whatever they are adamant about try thinking about what it is like to be in their shoes. They must have reasons for their perspective. Likely there is something under their views, experiences that have shaped their stance.
You have those too - underlying logic and actual experiences.
When yours don’t align with theirs, try being truly curious about how they got there. It doesn’t mean you have to agree, but actual curiosity will lead to empathy.
What if your heart was not to make sure they knew your side, but moreover to make sure they knew you cared about them?
“When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide....
Are You Asking Powerful Questions? Eliminate AWKWARD Conversations Once And For All!
Ever have an awkward conversation with a co-worker, client, friend, spouse, child, sibling... really anyone?
Awkward conversations include one or more of the following:
- Rambling one-sidedness
- The same stories over and over
- The same issues again and again
- Shallow skimming - chat about the weather followed by:
- Uncomfortable silence
- Whining
- Blaming
- The expectation of my coming up with an answer or resolution
I used to have conversations with one or more of these elements all the time.
Now, I just ask better questions. Powerful questions even.
In fact, when you have good coaching conversational tools in your tool belt, a lot more than your conversations can change. Awareness can be created. Destinies can be altered. Futures can be gained.
Here are just a few examples that have changed my life and the life of others around me.
- "Where do you want to be in 5 years?"
- "What’s holding you back?"
- "What would your life look like if 'that' was no longer an issue?
- "If you say 'Yes' to...