Talk in an even tone and keep it professional. Don’t let your emotions dictate your delivery or the other will too. This is especially important when talking to someone you are closely with.

Try to focus at things solely from a fact based standpoint. When emotions start to tak...

Be honest and thorough with your feedback, give examples and fully clarify why you're having the conversation.

The more clarity you can provide, the better the critique will be received.

Be stoic in your delivery but empathize. Think of how others will feel during the conversation, and allow them to process their emotions.

Give them time to collect themselves and explain the reason for the conversation to help them understand. If they're really taking t...

This is not a conversation you want to have in the spur of the moment.

Think of what you’re going to say, and prepare for the other person’s reactions. Being prepared you are more likely to stay even-tempered, thus delivering a more solid critique.

During a difficult conversation, be quick and direct. This is not the time for feedback techniques, as they will mask the point of the conversation and lessen its impact making it more difficult.

Often, the person knows that a critique is coming, so rather than dancing ...

The words you use during the conversation matter. Outline the critique and the reason you’re having the conversation.

Also, talk about the outcome you’d like to see. Illustrating a positive outcome gives the other an aim to work towards, and helps them understand why they’re b...

When having a difficult conversation, be direct and get to the point quickly. 

Difficult conversations become even more difficult when the delivery is complicated.

Most of the time, the person you're talking to knows that a critique is coming, so rather than dancing around the ...