I remember way back in another lifetime, when I lived and worked in China. My team and I created a series of training programs for the international employees at a nationwide English learning company. I used to tell my team that it’s necessary to have those difficult conversations.

In fact, it’s a good indicator of what we must say when we feel scared or uncomfortable in our gut at the prospect of saying it. When we don’t want to apologize, or when we hesitate to admonish inappropriate behavior, the situation nearly always calls for it.

Difficult conversations are not fun or easy. But they’re necessary, often crucial, parts of communicating and maintaining relationships.

People appreciate when you’re straight with them. They can sense when you’re trying your utmost to communicate thoroughly. They can feel when you’re being truly genuine.

The path is not without its perils. But if we want to improve our world, if we want to obtain global consciousness and unite humanity, we need to have those difficult conversations.