Comments on: Difficult conversations

By: Highlights: The Bible; a thought about death; Leadership; and a GREAT book « Paul Peterson

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 11:47:37 +0000

[...] #6 The Law of Tough Love – This law “addresses those situations where the leader needs to deliver a difficult message or make a tough decision about a subordinate – those situations where it is as difficult for the leader to speak out as it is for the subordinate to hear.” I love this next paragraph, “A leader who has so much concern that he or she is willing to experience embarrassment and pain, and to cause embarrassment and pain, knowing that this will ultimately have a positive payoff for a subordinate, is following the Law of Tough Love. Tough love is hard to give, and hard to receive. But love is the operative word here. It’s the sign of the ultimate respect that a leader can show a subordinate.” (I have written a piece called Difficult Conversations that directly relates to this subject). [...]

By: Melody

Melody — Thu, 31 May 2007 21:13:59 +0000

Proverbs 27:6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
but an enemy multiplies kisses.

By: greg bowser

greg bowser — Thu, 31 May 2007 08:35:48 +0000

well yall here is the deal confrontation is the most stressful part of any relationship. but the relationship cannot be worth anything without it. what is better, a friend that over-looks and accepts anything you do or a friend that challenges you to become a better person! the most valuable relationships i have are with the people that push me to follow my calling! so my challenge to anyone that reads this is… look at any relationship the you are involved in no matter who the person is (even if it is with paul) are they uplifting to you or are there outstanding character flaws, that may not be an issue to others, that bring you stress or offend you. now im not saying to try to make paul fit everyones personality. you must look deep into yourself and find your true self in the people you decide to invest in. the hard topics are the best sources of growth, and without these conversations and challenges a relationship is nothing more than a casual conversation with a casual sunday morning crowd you identify with and nothing more. life should be full of passion and this is to include constantly challenging your surroundings not for selfish gain but rather to glorify every single persone you come in contacr with!

By: Bill Reichart

Bill Reichart — Wed, 30 May 2007 14:16:14 +0000

I remember a ministry mentor told me that being a ministry leader is often one difficult conversation after another. That might seem a bit cynical but there is a lot of truth in it. Difficult conversations are a big part of the calling. I hate having them, because I am such a people pleaser and approval suck, but by the power of the Holy Spirit, I have them anyway. Even as hard as they are, I am glad I did it in the end.

By: Mike Paris

Mike Paris — Tue, 29 May 2007 14:04:57 +0000

Paul,
Have you read “Caring Enough to Confront” (David Augsburger)? It is good stuff in this arena.
Mike

By: Mike Paris

Mike Paris — Tue, 29 May 2007 14:03:34 +0000

Paul,
Good post on difficult conversations. What have you been reading lately that brought these thoughts out? A friend of mine uses this triple mantra, “High truth, high trust, low fear of conflict” to describe healthy, albeit sometimes difficult conversations. I will probably have to rework your 3 p’s, but I loved the rest of the stuff. Thanks for posting leadership material here. May God use it to train others. Speaking the truth in love is a great, Biblical leadership tip!
Mike