Keep them short. The longer they go, the more we misunderstand.
Partner with the other person to solve the problem, or offer them resources to move forward.
Make sure it’s a conversation. Give the other person a chance be heard even as they face unpleasant truths about themselves. Perhaps we may learn something new about ourselves, too.
Remember, difficult conversations can be tough, but they are necessary for our growth and progress.
The end goal is both sides find fewer and fewer conversations ‘difficult’ at all.
Then, all our “difficult conversations” become, just, “conversations”.