Soliloquy is the conversation you have with yourself before a difficult one with someone else. Notice your physical and emotional reactions, examine the story you are already telling yourself, and decide what you want your next contribution to make possible. The goal is not to suppress emotion or avoid conflict, but to create enough space between reaction and response to enter the conversation with greater clarity and intention.

Introduction Conflict is an unavoidable aspect of human interaction, and acquiring the ability to manage it is a vital life skill. This...