We were discussing the notion of having hard, dare I say it, crucial conversations the other day in our Moose Herd session. Conversations that are challenging. Conversations where you speak truth to power. Conversations that are risky and require courage and fortitude.
One of the things I brought up was the notion of preparing for one of these. And the idea of establishing your 100% truth prior to the meeting. Sitting down, putting everything aside, and establishing what would be the 100% discussion if you were talking to your best friend, close confidant, or trusted advisor? Without any filtering, obfuscation, or any risk of ramifications.
What would that conversation look like? That then becomes the baseline for your conversation. The preferred target if you will.
Now perhaps, you can’t have that level of clarity and honesty. So, start walking back from that baseline.
Establishing what you are comfortable saying. Considering things like—