How can you end difficult conversations on a positive note?

Closing a challenging conversation positively involves expressing understanding, acknowledging differences and finding common ground. Highlight positive aspects and express gratitude for the discussion to foster a constructive atmosphere. Offering compromises or solutions reinforces collaboration and a shared commitment to moving forward. Choose positive language, avoiding blame, and maintain a respectful tone throughout. End on a friendly note, with a positive remark to soften any tension. Non-verbal cues, such as body language and tone, should align with the positive message.

At the end of each conversation, it is very important to summarize all the key points, most of all if these key points are very important in the topic we are talking about. Then, each time we are closing an important chat, we like to summarize the points we spoke about. Sometimes this happens not immediately, but inside an email summarizing there the key points, in a way that it will not possible to have misunderstanding or any kind of problem.

An interesting perspective was shared with me recently: the difference between recognition and appreciation. At the end of a difficult conversation, we have the opportunity to ensure parties feel seen and heard through acknowledging what we recognize and appreciate about the other person/people. This can be accomplished by recognizing and celebrating what they have contributed to the work/conversation and also sharing what we appreciate about them as a person. This is not always easy, particularly when emotions are hot. But by digging deep and sharing with authenticity, such effort may help support everyone walking away with a lighter heart and mind.

I like to offer further opportunities to connect and debrief. Introverts and extroverts alike may benefit from time to think and process the difficult conversation. Keeping lines of communication open by offering to reconnect on the topic may help ensure parties don’t stew independently and unnecessarily.

Optimism and positivity are the keys of happiness and success. It is, then, very important to talk about who we are, what we like, what we are big fans about and other similar stuffs. In this way, with a continuous smile of the soul and, why not, of the face, we can transmit all the positivity we can about ourselves, and about our business reality.

I like to speak to the importance of creating a psychologically safe environment- where people can engage in difficult conversations as a healthy and important part of working as a team. While it might not always feel great at the time, engaging in difficult conversations is important to growth of individuals and a team.

Education and respect are important elements of each business professional people. At the same, it is important not to be invasive of the privacy of others, each person has to respect others, and to be respected by the other ones at the same. So, it is great to interact, but only if the other agree to do it.

In my experience "Honesty is indeed the best policy" but truth doesn't need to be bitter & insensitive to be valid. Also its important to consider the TIMING of citing your truth. So in difficult conversations - Always site the uncomfortable part for your non alignment, if someone has been transparent about sharing their idea - then you have to be honest & transparent about why you think it is not doable. rely on your past experience where you tried doing something similar & it did not work. Let your resistance come from a place of experience & not from a place of ignorance / arrogance / lack of motivation / lack of initiative / fear etc. Piggybacking on others expertise will improve the quality of your point.

Asking for feedback: requesting feedback re how you showed up in a difficult conversation is a step towards demonstrating humility and creating a psychologically safe place for others to reflect on how they showed up as well. We are not always going to get it right and/or show up as the amazing leader/human we want to be. Getting feedback helps us to learn and grow and develop improved skills for the inevitable next difficult conversation.