Can I Be Kind and Direct in My Communication?

Can you be kind and direct in your communication? 

How might it be unkind to be indirect? 

Is it always unkind to create discomfort in a conversation? 

When might true kindness create discomfort?

How might good open-ended questions and listening be useful?

How can you “earn the right” to be direct in your communication with someone?

Who do you know that converses with you in a kind and direct manner?

Who do you know that converses with you and leaves you guessing about what they said?

Who converses with you and is often blunt, disconnected, and unkind?

In your conversations, how do you typically respond when your thoughts and ideas are challenged?  How could you respond differently?

How do you typically respond when you are misunderstood, or disrespected?

How do you respond when the other person shows embarrassment, nervousness, stress, and shyness?

Finally, as you have carefully considered these questions, what have you learned about being kind and direct in your communication, and how might your communication be a bit better?