You’ve Had This Conversation Twenty Times. They Haven’t Heard It Once.

You know what you want to say.

At least, you did in the car.

You explained it beautifully while making coffee. You answered three possible objections in the shower. You even prepared a remarkably composed closing sentence.

Then the opportunity comes.

“Everything okay?”

“Yes, fine.”

And now you are rehearsing it again.

Perhaps you need to discuss a workload that has changed, clarify what someone expects from you, ask for something important or raise a subject you would rather avoid.

You can spend a great deal of time preparing imaginary replies while still being unsure how to begin the actual conversation.

This course gives you somewhere to work on that preparation.

Bring the conversation you need to have

This is a private online coaching course built around a real conversation in your life or work.

We begin by identifying what needs discussing and what you would like to achieve.

Those can sound obvious until you try to put them into one clear sentence.

“I want them to understand” is a starting point.
What, specifically, do you want them to understand? Is there also a request you need to make or a decision you need to communicate?

We will separate those elements before putting them into words.

Prepare your part

You cannot decide how another person will respond.

You can prepare what you bring: the facts you want to describe, the question you need to ask, your request and the way you intend to express yourself.

We will examine where you are guessing at someone’s intentions and where you have information you can actually discuss.

Then we will build an opening that sounds like you.

It needs to be clear enough to begin the conversation without requiring a ten-minute speech before the other person can answer.

We will practise what happens after the opening

Because the conversation will probably depart from the version you rehearsed.

We can work through possible responses: a question you weren’t expecting, disagreement, a different account of the situation or a request for time to think.

The purpose is to practise listening, clarifying and returning to the subject you came to discuss.

You can also practise asking for a pause when you need one, instead of filling the silence with an agreement you haven’t considered.

What we will prepare together

You will work on a clear purpose, an opening you can use, the points you need to cover and questions that leave room for the other person’s perspective.

We will consider how to finish the conversation, too.

What has been understood? Has anything been decided? Is a follow-up needed?

You may still feel some tension before speaking. Preparation gives you something concrete to return to while you do it.

If there is a conversation taking up far more space in your head than you would like, bring it with you.

Contact me about this course →

In your message, write “The Conversation” and briefly describe what you need to discuss. You don’t need to include names or private details.

If you are still struggling to put the situation into words, you can bring the messy version.

Silvia