Coffee with Kim How To Have Difficult Conversations With Melanie Whitney
Jun 24, 2025
Melanie Whitney, a communications coach specializing in empowerment-based techniques, shares her insights on handling difficult conversations. She highlights the importance of self-awareness and empathy while navigating tough discussions. Listeners will learn essential tools such as mindfulness and using 'I' language to defuse tensions. Melanie addresses the challenges posed by power imbalances and oversharing in the workplace. Additionally, she emphasizes the significance of emotional regulation and setting intentional goals for effective communication.
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Career Picked by Struggle
- Melanie Whitney shares how difficult communication picked her rather than a planned career choice.
- Growing up in a household where emotions were poorly expressed, she transformed her struggle into a passion for communication and mindfulness.
Ego Shapes Communication Blind Spots
- Ego, defined as attachment to identity and roles, is a major blind spot in difficult conversations.
- People often misinterpret actions through ego-driven assumptions instead of considering alternative explanations.
Use Perception Checking
- Use perception checking to pause and avoid spiraling into negative stories about others' behavior.
- Offer yourself compassionate alternative explanations to give others the benefit of the doubt.
