Be Brave: The Importance of Fierce Conversations

Are you brave when it comes to your conversations?

“Be brave.”

One statement that carries so much weight.

You can apply these words to various situations in your life: bungee jumping, skydiving, the extreme stuff.

But what about something that almost everyone does on a daily basis?

Dubbed “fierce conversations,” they are those real conversations where a person takes off their mask and chooses to be known, seen and changed. They only happen as the result of one’s willingness to accept the fact that they need to have a conversation that could change the trajectory of their life (Stewart, 2012).

Many of us take for granted the simplicity of conversation. Every day, we are asked how we are doing and many of us reply with the general response of, “Good.”

But what if we chose to be brave and share what is really going on in our mind? Instead of living with the tough issues or shoving the big questions under the rug, imagine what your life may be like if you chose to talk about these thoughts.

Are you taking notice to the pain going on in your friend’s life? Are you willing to take the time to sit down and have an uncomfortable conversation with them? It takes one honest, kind and loving word to make a heart open.

A fierce conversation only happens when both parties choose to be vulnerable and are open to change. In this case, you may be the one addressing the pain a friend is experiencing. However, you’re not just helping them heal and change. You, too, are changing as you choose to walk alongside them, encourage them and keep them accountable throughout their struggle.

In a world run by the facades created on social media, take the time to engage in meaningful conversation with your parents, friends, coworkers and spouses. Instead of running away from the conversation that you’re dreading, run to it and take the risk to enrich your relationships.

Often, we complain about what this person or that person is doing, but what we really need to do is ask ourselves if we are willing to voice our thoughts. The change we are looking for could be just one conversation away.

Choose to have that fierce conversation.

Be brave.

The Bachelor of Arts in Communications is one of the many liberal arts degrees offered at Grand Canyon University. Learn more about an education at GCU by contacting us today.

Reference:

Stewart, J. (2012). Bridges not walls: A book about interpersonal communication. (11^th). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

More about Samantha:

Samantha Brewer is a junior at Grand Canyon University. She is studying communications with a minor in Christian studies. She serves in the Spiritual Life department as a head Life Leader. This leadership position has developed her passion for relational communication. She currently works with media relations for a professional sports team in the Valley, and loves to see how the communication concepts she learns in the classroom play out in the workplace. Samantha was born and raised in Chandler, AZ. She hopes to live in Arizona the rest of her life, but isn’t opposed to the idea of moving somewhere near the ocean. Samantha also enjoys writing and reading, and hopes to one day write a book.

About College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Letters and Voices is a blog that explores the impact of communications and language in our daily lives. The choices we make in the communication messages we send and receive structure the nature of our relationships, drive our motivations and values in career and community, as well as create positive solutions to address current problems. We hope that you will find these blog entries engaging and thought-provoking as you reflect on the impact your own communication choices have in your life and the lives of those around you.