The Mel Robbins Podcast

How to Talk to Difficult People: Proven Strategies to Stop Arguments & Feel Connected Again

297 snips
Jul 3, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Charles Duhigg, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author, joins Mel to share strategies for navigating tough conversations. They discuss the common pitfalls that lead to arguments and reveal how to break these cycles. Listeners learn powerful techniques for changing minds, disarming difficult people, and fostering empathy. Duhigg introduces simple scripts to create connection and transform disagreements into opportunities for growth, reminding us that effective communication can revive important relationships.
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INSIGHT

Three Conversation Types

  • We have three conversation types: practical, emotional, and social.
  • Misaligned conversation types cause misunderstandings and disconnection.
ADVICE

Ask What Kind of Help Needed

  • Clarify if the speaker wants you to solve their problem or just listen.
  • Ask, "Do you want me to help or just listen?" to avoid misunderstandings.
ADVICE

Use Deep Questions and Repeat

  • Ask deep questions about beliefs and values to understand others.
  • Repeat back what you hear to confirm understanding and build connection.
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