Phrases for Tough Conversations

If there is anything you want to add at any point, feel free to ... .

• kick in

• interrupt me

• intercept

• chime in

I feel like my feelings are not being …, which is making me feel undervalued in our relationship.

• validated

• defused

• acknowledged

• identified

To put it …, your daughter has been causing some issues this semester.

• neutrally

• mildly

• sufficiently

• gently

I know you might be mad at me right now,

but …, I think that you are an amazing designer

and there is an exciting career ahead of you.

• as a consolation prize

• for what it’s worth

• to my liking

• just so you know

We need to … . Otherwise,

I honestly don’t see a future for our friendship

• find the middle ground

• be halfway through

• meet halfway

• untangle equally

…, I’ve been struggling

with workload and could use some support.

• With honesty

• Being brutally honest

• In all honesty

• If I’m being honest

Could we take a moment to ... what's been said so far?

• reflect on

• speculate

• review

• think

I understand ... I used to have a horrible boss, too.

• your experiences.

• where you’re coming from

• your perspective

• this situation