The worst thing about preparing for an unpleasant conversation is filling your head with worst-case scenarios about what might happen. It could be a breakup, or firing an employee, or just confronting an issue with someone.

The best approach to take is to boil down your point to one simple sentence, then stick with it. Some people love to argue, and they’ll want to steer the conversation in all kinds of directions. Don’t let them

Just make your one point, and stick with it. If they want to change the subject, you can respond by telling them that that is a conversation for another time, but right now we’re talking about this.

Make one point, and stay on it.