Engage with What and How to Foster Understanding

Understanding and engaging in difficult conversations requires awareness of the emotional and psychological dimensions at play. People often react defensively to 'why' questions as they may provoke suspicions about motives. Instead, employing 'what' and 'how' questions fosters a more cooperative dialogue. Recognizing and addressing the emotions behind the inquiries not only validates the person's feelings but also opens the door to constructive discussion. Acknowledging frustration and pain allows a deeper engagement and prepares individuals to be more receptive to critique, thus enhancing moral reasoning and understanding.