In this episode we explore how to have hard conversations without burning bridges amid rising social and political division. We offers three practical tools - curiosity questions, separating a person from their position, and setting conversation guardrails - to help people listen without turning disagreement into a fight.

Chapters

• 00:00 Why hard conversations feel harder now
• 03:29 Listen without needing to win
• 04:46 Use discernment before engaging
• 05:19 Why debate can block understanding
• 08:27 Check your emotional safety and timing
• 10:30 Try a curiosity statement
• 12:21 Separate the person from their position
• 13:10 Set guardrails for difficult conversations
• 15:29 The one-question listening challenge

Learn more Eddy at: www.eddypaulthomas.com

Discover the transformative power of empathy in both our personal lives and the workplace with the following resources:

• Ok…On Second Thought Life & Leadership Coaching at www.onsecondthoughtstudio.com

• Read the Things I’m Rethinking newsletter.

• Read the Before You React blog for helpful articles on relationships.

• Read the Ok…On Second Thought blog for insightful articles on leadership.

Brought to you by Elevate 1 Consulting.

Produced by Say Some Thing Studios.

Music: "Show Your Hand,” “Reclaimed, “ and “Vibrant Life" by Kesta from the free music archive. This work is openly licensed via CC BY 4.0.