One of my favorite things about summer is spending time around a bonfire at night. There’s something almost magical about watching the flames dance under the stars. But there’s an interesting process that happens when you're making that fire that always gets me thinking about communication.

When you build a fire, you start with a few small embers—maybe from a match, or some dry twigs. Then, you blow gently on those embers to encourage them to catch, to grow, to ignite into a full-fledged flame. But if you blow too hard, too quickly, the fire can go out. You’re left with nothing but a pile of cold ashes.

Now, I know this sounds like a strange analogy, but think about your communication like the ember in a bonfire. Your words—the things you say to others—are the breath of life, but how you say them can either nurture or extinguish the energy and connection you’re trying to create.

In this episode, I’m going to talk about the two crucial components you need to master in order to effectively approach those inevitable difficult conversations.

Kristen Wade helps HR professionals who want to reach the executive level,
to stop putting out fires and become more strategic with their time. For individual support, apply for Kristen's Signature Program here and she'll be in touch to invite you to a free discovery call.

Or if you're ready to ensure your unique values shine, grab a Personal Branding Strategy Session with Kristen here.