Navigating Tough Conversations
Written by Kaylee Morgan
We are in the midst of the Holiday season and we all know what comes with the times– Christmas lights, Christmas albums, and family. For some this is their favorite time of the year. For others, this time of the year may bring about anxiety and grief. Wherever you land, odds are high, if it isn’t this holiday season, at some point you will eventually find yourself in the middle of a tough conversation with a family member, a coworker, or a random person on the internet.
It is impossible to live life without engaging in some type of tough conversation and I’m here to encourage you to remember that while you are conversing, do your best to stay LEVEL. An acronym that I created around having tough conversations about racism, but I believe applies to any and all tough conversations.
L: LOVE
Love above all else. Even if we have varying viewpoints, we must continue to pursue and care for our loved ones. Cancel culture won’t fix the issues.
E: EMPOWER
Encouragement is key in every aspect of your life! Use your words to empower the other person so that they feel qualified to also do the work of learning and growing for themselves. You might have to get creative in this part, but it is worth it.
The other person will feel comfortable to continue the conversation if you empower them to have it.
V: VALIDATE
It is so important to honor whoever you’re speaking with and their experiences. Odds are high, the topic of conversation will not be solved with one conversation. For some, it’ll take hours upon hours and years upon years to really grasp some of the issues we find in the world. Just remember to be patient and be kind.
E: EDUCATE
Focus on the truth. When things start to go awry, it is important to be able to point to facts. The point isn’t to bombard the other person with facts and figures, but instead to have the knowledge to support your statements. Study up and let’s not start conversations on touchy subjects if you don’t have the knowledge to support your stance.
L: LEARN
You must make sure you are listening to the other person and hear their perspective. Sure, you may have researched and studied this topic longer than they have, but it’s important to remember that you always have more to learn. I encourage you to be quick to listen and slow to talk when having these tough conversations.
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