Content about Henry Cloud

April 18, 2011
Ending Conversations with Clarity

How can you be prepared for the difficult conversation of a necessary ending? One key ingredient is to be prepared for the conversation itself. That preparation can make all the difference in the world. It can provide the confidence and the skills needed to finally pull the trigger.

By Dr. Henry Cloud

As a coach, I have had the same conversation with scores of people, as they stalled out on the ending—letting someone know something is over—in either a personal or professional context. Why did the ending stall? After all, the deciding had been done, and they were certain they needed to go forward, but they still sat on it. Not because they were unsure or were afraid of the future. Not because they second-guessed their decisions or their mental maps prevented them from making it. The reason?

They dreaded the conversation.