Remaining Cool as a Cucumber

Difficult and emotional conversations are an inevitable part of life. And recently, during a conversation in one of my executive coaching sessions, the nonprofit leader I was working with found themselves facing a difficult conversation.

This conversation brought reminded me of several that I have prepared myself for over my career, too. So I dug out some tools that I have personally utilized during my career and thought some, if not of us, could also use this as a resource.

Whether it’s with a board member, a colleague, or a friend, sometimes you may find yourself in a situation where you need to have a challenging discussion. In these instances, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed, emotional, and even reactive. However, it’s essential to remain calm during these conversations to communicate effectively, maintain relationships, a