12/10/2026
A difficult conversation often begins before a word is spoken.
Something happens.
We interpret it.
Then we begin responding to the meaning we gave it.
That meaning may be accurate.
It may also be incomplete.
Before reacting, I find it useful to separate three things:
What actually happened?
What meaning did I give it?
What do I still need to ask?
That small pause can change the quality of an entire conversation.
Especially when emotions are high, curiosity gives us access to information that interpretation alone cannot provide.
What changes when you replace a conclusion with a question?
Save these three questions for the next conversation that feels difficult.