🔆 The Fifth and Final Principle of Difficult Conversations


A quote from the depths of Nick Cave...

“Unlike cynicism, hopefulness is hard-earned, makes demands upon us, and can often feel like the most indefensible and lonely place on Earth.
Hopefulness is not a neutral position either. It is adversarial. It is the warrior emotion that can lay waste to cynicism.
Each redemptive or loving act, as small as you like... keeps the devil down in the hole. It says the world and its inhabitants have value and are worth defending. It says the world is worth believing in. In time, we come to find that it is so.”

How does this relate to difficult conversations?

There is always room for possibility and hope in every difficult conversation. To work towards a solution that incorporates two opposing perspectives takes commitment and creativity from both sides. It is a journey from...

'Or' (me) to 'And' (us).

This is about deliberately choosing a collaborative approach, even when in conflict. When different perspectives are welcomed this increases the chances of repairing, deepening and enhancing connection. On a practical level, it can lead to work being unique, well resolved and impactful.

That's a hopeful pursuit.

You've got this.

Love,

PS. Next week we're switching focus to self-care. Remember that? Less grind, more kind. 💚

If you like this, please share it.

If you believe in our work and think we can support people in your network, please forward this newsletter on.

PO Box 455
Ashburton, 3147
Unsubscribe · Preferences

This Human by Melis Senova

Enabling senior design professionals to be more influential within their organisations. ✨ Author of this human and design character, published by BIS Publishers.📚

Read more from This Human by Melis Senova

What if leadership wasn’t about control, but about connection—starting with yourself? We've all read the traditional leadership books. They focus on external strategies—processes, hierarchies, efficiency. Thanks (but no thanks) old white guys. 😉 True leadership, what we call deep leadership, begins from within. It’s about integrating all aspects of yourself—your beliefs, emotions, imagination, and attention—so that your leadership is grounded, authentic, and transformative. What is deep...

Are you getting the most out of your mornings? Are you part of the 5am club, bouncing out of bed, off for a run, a healthy breakfast, then smashing out a few chapters of your memoir, all before 8am? (me neither ;-) Or perhaps you immediately reach for your phone and dive straight into your workday and the art of being a busy person. Or maybe you're non-existent until that first hit of caffeine floods your system. How you do your mornings can significantly impact how the rest of your day...

Happy lunar new year! As you may know, this is the year of the Snake. This ancient creature has much to offer us. Here are some key themes to consider. 1. Strategic Growth & Transformation A year for thoughtful transformation, favouring calculated risks over impulsive change. 2. Creativity Meets Strategy A powerful time for innovation and long-term planning, ideal for launching creative projects. 3. Diplomacy & Charisma Enhanced eloquence and adaptability make this a favourable year for...