I have one rule in communication: Be honest. Take a deep breath and be brave. Just say it. Say it simply. Say it clumsily. Just say what you want. And if something other than what you want comes out of your mouth (because it can be so hard to tell the truth when it comes to your needs, your limitations and your values), you can say it again, but clearer this time. You can take as many tries as you’d like. You can forgive yourself for how you’ve said things. But the thing must be said.
