Create a Runway
It was going to be a serious and potentially difficult conversation with someone he loved. My friend Jack knew that in order for it to go well, he had to do more than simply communicate his concerns. He was a Leading Lion in the MAD (our Make A Difference personality profile) terminology, and she was a Tranquil Turtle. That’s why he decided to create a runway that would lead to a productive conversation. Jack knew that his loved one needed time to prepare and time to process when dealing with important matters. He also knew that as a Turtle, she would not respond well to emotional or aggressive language.
Here are three things Jack did to build a runway for his vital conversation with the Turtle in his life:
He gave her a heads-up several days in advance that he would like to have a conversation with her.
He made sure that the environment was a safe place to talk without a lot of interruptions or distractions.
He did not make demands or ask for immediate answers; instead, he asked that they set up a series of ongoing conversations with space to process between each one.
If this sounds like a lot of work… that’s because it is. But aren’t the important relationships in your life worth working on? Barreling into a conversation with no thought of how it will be received is a recipe for disaster. Learning to speak the language of those we care about will go a long way toward having meaningful and effective relationships. This is true in our homes and in our professional lives.
Jack and his loved one are making their way through that series of ongoing conversations together, and they are making progress in coming up with solutions for their dilemma. His wisdom reminds us that if we desire strong relationships, we must be willing to put in the work it takes for them to be successful.
Choose to build a runway for the important relationships in your life, and you will make a difference.
Larry
Check out our latest episode on the Crossing the Line Podcast:
2023 Wrap-Up: It's Time To Reflect
