6.1 · Communication When It's Hard
Nonviolent Communication
Observation → feeling → need → request. The highest-leverage communication framework available, and it works through honesty rather than technique — which is the only version I’d be able to use without losing self-respect.
Crucial Conversations
For exactly the moments I described: "I initially feel extremely sad, and explain later." This is how to explain earlier, while it still matters.
Deepen
Section titled “Deepen”Difficult Conversations
From the Harvard Negotiation Project. The "what happened / feelings / identity" three-conversation model is the deepest cut here.
Supercommunicators
Recent, readable, built on matching the type of conversation the other person is actually having.
Reference
Section titled “Reference”You’re Not Listening
Sharpens the one skill I already have naturally. Confirmation plus refinement.