“Real Estate by Relationships” is more than a motto here at The Knoch Group. Each of our real estate agents and team members are specially gifted with the desire and the ability to start and foster relationships that are positive and productive. And we know, too, that an important part of building healthy relationships is knowing how to handle tough conversations. Whether it’s at home, or work or out in our wonderful city of Las Vegas, it’s our hope that sharing these these techniques will benefit your own relationships!

How to handle difficult conversations the right way

To help you navigate these kinds of conversations and to keep you focused on the subject rather than the emotions, I’m sharing some practical tips for having a difficult conversation. You may find that the conversation does not go as badly as you thought it would and hopefully you will feel better knowing you approached the discussion with respect and an open mind, leading to a positive interaction.

Plan ahead

Your nerves or emotions can take over during a difficult conversation, making it hard to speak clearly and calmly. To avoid this, plan and practice what you want to say beforehand.

Have an open mind

To get the most out of your conversation, leave your assumptions at the door. Aim to go into it with an open mind and try to see things from the other person’s point of view.

Be upfront

To help give a clear way forward, be upfront about your desired outcome from the get-go. Do you want an apology? An acknowledgement of your perspective? A change in future behavior?

Take a break if needed

If things become too heated and there doesn’t seem to be a resolution in sight, respectfully suggest a timeout. A brief break is is great way to reset and relax.

Time and place

Avoid having a critical conversation in public or in a distracting setting. Instead, choose a private, quiet and relaxing location.

Avoid “you” statements

“You” statements can make the other person feel attacked. So, instead of saying, “You keep forgetting to do what I ask!” say, “I feel really upset when [insert task here] doesn’t get done.”

Benefits of having difficult conversations for the sake of better relationships

It often seems easier to avoid an issue rather than addressing it. But the benefits of facing tough talks head on are substantial. Avoiding them can make things worse. In fact, procrastination can lead to more stress, and feeling unprepared can lead to miscommunication and hurt feelings.

Clarity. Misunderstandings can get cleared up. You can also gain a better understanding of the other person’s needs

Closeness. Getting through a difficult conversation can make a relationship stronger and more authentic.

Closure. Instead of letting what’s bothering you fester, having a tough talk allows you to resolve issues and gain closure.

Confidence. Becoming someone who’s willing to have tough conversations is a great confidence booster!

Ryan Knoch is a Las Vegas real estate broker and member of Las Vegas REALTORS® and National Association of REALTORS®. He provides skilled guidance on the purchase and sale of Las Vegas homes and is a resource for all other real estate matters. To schedule a consultation, call Ryan Knoch today at (702) 303-7946 or email him at ryan@theknochgroupre.com.