{"id":9750,"date":"2020-06-21T13:02:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-21T17:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=9750"},"modified":"2020-06-28T19:41:43","modified_gmt":"2020-06-28T23:41:43","slug":"how-to-have-a-difficult-conversation-with-your-partner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-have-a-difficult-conversation-with-your-partner\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Have a Difficult Conversation With Your Partner"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Do you want to know <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-start-a-difficult-conversation\/\">how to have a difficult conversation<\/a> with your partner? Are there issues in the relationship you&#8217;re not sure how to address?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In all relationships, communication is key. Learning how to have a difficult conversation with your partner can lead to a better and more open relationship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why <\/strong>Learn How To Have Difficult Conversations With Your Spouse? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Failed crucial conversations can cause relationships to fail<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When people break up they often blame it on differences of opinion on important issues. But while everyone argues about important issues, clearly not every relationship ends in turmoil \u2014 <strong>it\u2019s how you argue that matters<\/strong>. So how do you learn how to have a difficult conversation with your partner? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From the authors\u2019 research observing couples, they found that people handle difficult conversations in one of three ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>They resort to threats and name-calling.<\/li><li>They retreat into angry silence.<\/li><li>They speak honestly and effectively.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The researchers found that helping couples hold crucial conversations more effectively reduced their chances of unhappiness or breakup by more than half.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many crucial conversation topics that, if mishandled, can lead to disastrous results in your personal life or at work. They include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Personal<\/strong>: Ending a relationship, asking a roommate to move out, resolving a custody issue with an ex-spouse, dealing with a troubled teen, confronting a loved one about problem behavior.<\/li><li><strong>Work<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-confront-a-coworker-professionally\/\">Confronting a coworker<\/a> about a problem, giving the boss critical feedback, critiquing a colleague\u2019s work, presenting a negative performance review, confronting a team member who isn\u2019t following through, confronting a coworker who has poor hygiene.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Crucial Conversations Fail<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn how to have a difficult conversation with your partner, it&#8217;s important to know why conversations fail. Despite the importance of crucial conversations, <strong>we often avoid them because we\u2019re afraid we\u2019ll make matters worse<\/strong>. If total avoidance isn\u2019t possible, we may send emails or leave messages instead of talking face-to-face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When we do have crucial conversations, we handle them badly. <strong>We behave our worst at the most critical moments.<\/strong> We yell, withdraw, or say things we later regret. This happens because:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Nature works against us<\/strong>. When under stress, whether physically or emotionally, we\u2019re genetically programmed to respond with fight or flight. We get an adrenaline surge and blood is diverted from the brain to muscles so that our thinking ability suffers.<\/li><li><strong>We get caught off guard.<\/strong> Crucial conversations often catch us by surprise \u2014 someone blurts out something and we have little time to think. We have a knee-jerk reaction and later end up wondering, what was I thinking?<\/li><li><strong>We lack the right skills.<\/strong> We don\u2019t know where to start in terms of responding to or initiating a crucial conversation, so we just plunge in. You can sometimes practice for crucial conversations, but you have to know what to practice \u2014 and even with practice you can still screw up.<\/li><li><strong>We act in self-defeating ways<\/strong>. We act in ways that keep us from getting what we want. We\u2019re our own worst enemies. For example, when one partner is neglecting the other, the injured partner may respond with sarcasm and sniping \u2014 which causes the offending party to spend even less time with the injured party.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Relationships, careers, organizations, and communities are built on the ability to talk about high-stakes, difficult topics.<strong> Therefore, mishandled conversations have a huge impact. <\/strong>In fact, they\u2019re at the root of a majority of persistent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/organizational-problems-2\/\">problems in organizations<\/a>, teams, and relationships. Learning how to have a difficult conversation with your spouse can help with those important <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/relationship-marriage-problems-5-love-languages\/\">relationship problems<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>People often think their situations are unique and that dialogue skills outlined in this book don\u2019t apply, or won\u2019t work. According to the authors, the skills do in fact apply to virtually any issue, although some problems are more challenging than others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Examples of Difficult Conversations With Your Spouse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While you&#8217;re learning how to have a difficult conversation with your partner, it&#8217;s helpful to look to some examples. These examples offer a few common crucial conversations, how to have a difficult conversation with your spouse, and how to resolve the issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Overly Sensitive Spouse<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>What can you do when your spouse is highly sensitive to criticism? When you try to give constructive feedback they overreact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenge<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>When one or both partners in a marriage have short fuses, they may tacitly agree to not say anything about most problems to prevent blow-ups. Issues have to be huge before they\u2019re discussed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Solution<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>To start with, STATE <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/choose-your-own-path\/\">your path<\/a>: Share your facts, Tell your story, Ask for others\u2019 paths, Talk tentatively, Encourage testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>When something bothers you, address it right away.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/contrasting-statements\/\">contrasting statements<\/a> (what you don\u2019t\/do want).<\/li><li>Ensure the conversation is safe for both parties.<\/li><li>If the other person still becomes defensive, don\u2019t give up \u2014 rethink your approach, increase safety, and try again.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Having a confidante and coach to give you helpful feedback is an important benefit of a healthy relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Spouse Doesn\u2019t Want to Talk<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Whenever you try to talk about an important problem, your spouse withdraws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenge<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If someone doesn\u2019t want to talk about tough issues, It\u2019s because they believe it won\u2019t do any good or they don\u2019t feel safe doing so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Solution<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Work on yourself first (practice your skills).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Start with the least threatening issues. Try to make conversation safe. Be alert to when your spouse becomes uncomfortable. Speak tentatively (\u201cI\u2019m pretty sure you\u2019re not intending to\u2026\u201d). Explore your partner\u2019s path. Practice dialogue skills whenever you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Establish <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/mutual-purpose-crucial-conversations\/\">mutual purpose<\/a> \u2014 help the person see a compelling reason for having the conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Persistent Problem<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You keep having to talk with people repeatedly about the same problem. You feel like you have to choose between nagging and putting up with the problem. This is something that comes up often in relationships, and it&#8217;s worth learning how to have a difficult conversation with your partner to address it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenge<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Some crucial conversations are ineffective because you\u2019re focusing on the wrong thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, consider how you deal with someone who is habitually late. If you focus on the specific problem (being late) without talking about the bigger problem or pattern, you\u2019ll have the same conversation repeatedly as the person continues to be late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Solution<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Focus on the pattern rather than on a single event \u2014 monitor behavior over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use STATE skills to talk about the pattern (facts\/observations, story, feeling, action).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, if a person is late for a meeting and pledges to be on time in the future, then is late again, discuss their failure to keep a commitment rather than their lateness. This issue is now about trust and respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sensitive Personal Issue<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>What can you do if someone has a hygiene problem, or something else that makes people avoid him but are embarrassed to bring up? This is one way to learn how to have a difficult conversation with your partner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenge<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Because people avoid discussing sensitive issues, offenders can go for years without getting information that would be helpful to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of directly addressing the offense, others often progress from silence to violence, making jokes, and being sarcastic and disrespectful. But the more time that elapses, the more painful it will be to the person when you do raise the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Solution<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Start by using contrasting: You don\u2019t want to hurt the person\u2019s feelings, but you do want to share important information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Establish mutual purpose. Explain that you\u2019re reluctant to raise a personal issue, but need to because it\u2019s undermining the person\u2019s work. Tentatively describe the problem without exaggerating, then move on to solutions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Verbal Games<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Verbal games can be frustrating when you want to learn how to have a difficult conversation with your spouse. Some people, especially children, play word games to excuse their actions or inaction when you confront them. For instance, when you tell kids they shouldn\u2019t have done something, they respond that you never explicitly told them not to do it. How can you stop getting caught up in these games?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Challenge<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Some creative individuals can come up with endless ways to explain why they didn\u2019t know any better. Eventually, they wear you down, and they get away with slacking while others carry an unfair share of the load.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Solution<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Focus on the pattern rather than the specific instance. Use STATE skills to discuss the pattern of playing word games and let them know they aren\u2019t fooling anyone. Preempt word games by telling them how you expect them to behave in all instances in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, you might respond: \u201cYou\u2019re hurting your sister\u2019s feelings when you call her ugly. Don\u2019t say that or anything else that might hurt her feelings.\u201d Then hold them accountable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learning <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-have-difficult-conversations\/\">how to have difficult conversations<\/a> with your partner is a challenging but necessary part of any relationship. Though it may seem daunting, you can learn how to have a difficult conversation with your partner, and both benefit. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do you want to know how to have a difficult conversation with your partner? Are there issues in the relationship you&#8217;re not sure how to address? In all relationships, communication is key. Learning how to have a difficult conversation with your partner can lead to a better and more open relationship.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":9782,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[34,12],"tags":[89],"class_list":["post-9750","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-communication","category-relationships","tag-crucial-conversations","","tg-column-two"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.3 (Yoast SEO v24.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Have a Difficult Conversation With Your Partner - Shortform Books<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"It&#039;s a question many have asked. 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These strategies help build trust and understanding\u2014find out how.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-have-a-difficult-conversation-with-your-partner\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Shortform Books\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-06-21T17:02:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2020-06-28T23:41:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wordpress.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/difficult-conversations-with-your-partner-crucial-conversations-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1696\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Carrie Cabral\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Carrie Cabral\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-have-a-difficult-conversation-with-your-partner\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-have-a-difficult-conversation-with-your-partner\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Carrie Cabral\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2ababb7c63a94ff5d2190f71dc417d56\"},\"headline\":\"How to Have a Difficult Conversation With Your Partner\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-06-21T17:02:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2020-06-28T23:41:43+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-have-a-difficult-conversation-with-your-partner\/\"},\"wordCount\":1535,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-have-a-difficult-conversation-with-your-partner\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/difficult-conversations-with-your-partner-crucial-conversations-scaled.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Crucial Conversations\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Communication\",\"Relationships\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-have-a-difficult-conversation-with-your-partner\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-have-a-difficult-conversation-with-your-partner\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-have-a-difficult-conversation-with-your-partner\/\",\"name\":\"How to Have a Difficult Conversation With Your Partner - Shortform Books\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-have-a-difficult-conversation-with-your-partner\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-have-a-difficult-conversation-with-your-partner\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/difficult-conversations-with-your-partner-crucial-conversations-scaled.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-06-21T17:02:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2020-06-28T23:41:43+00:00\",\"description\":\"It's a question many have asked. 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