We are Madison’s Legacy
How to have difficult conversations
Conversations about difficult issues should be difficult! We’re wrestling with tensions between our experiences and values. The Legacy projects seeks to help people have difficult conversations better. Here is some advice we’re learned from doing this work.
Use Your Experiences
Talk from your experiences and how those experiences have shaped your views.
Get Curious
Get curious about your partner’s views and ask lots of questions to better understand their perspective.
Have An Open Mind
Go in with an open mind, expecting that there will be points where you may not agree on everything, and recognize that that’s okay.
Really Listen
Active listening skills are crucial. Do your best to really hear what your partner is saying and ask clarifying questions.
Don’t Interrupt
Our goal is to have a story driven conversation where both partners feel safe to open up about their thoughts, feelings, and understanding of the topic.