January 1: Validate, Don’t Concede
Validation doesn’t mean surrender—it’s about respecting emotions while steering toward progress.
Show empathy, not agreement.
Validating feelings doesn’t mean agreeing with them. Statements like, “I understand why you feel that way” ease tension without losing your message. Balance empathy with firmness.
Take Action: Practice a validation statement. Try “I hear you, and here’s why this matters…” in your next challenging conversation.