Almost everyone in a difficult conversation believes they're being the reasonable one.

That's exactly what makes escalation so hard to stop.

This solo episode from Jake tackles something most communication advice completely ignores. Not what the other person is doing wrong, but what you're contributing without realizing it. The tone shift you didn't notice. The defensiveness that felt completely justified. The certainty that shut down your curiosity before the conversation had a chance.

You can't change what you can't see. And if your blind spot is your own reactions, no amount of communication skill will save the conversation.

Jake breaks down five ways to catch yourself before you become the problem you're trying to solve. Including the question he asks himself every time he feels the urge to defend, and the two second r ...