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Some things just can’t be avoided. Taxes. School fundraisers. Cellulite. And if you’re in business, conflict. Whether it’s your VA who is continually missing deadlines or a JV partner who failed to pay your commissions, as a small business owner, you’ll have to deal with it sooner or later. Learning how to handle difficult conversations is a critical skill that will serve you well. The trouble is, handling conflicts with grace doesn’t come naturally. We’re human. We react—sometimes badly—when we should be proactive instead. We take things personally when they’re not. We sometimes lash out first, and apologize later. With a little planning and consideration, though, you’ll have a much better outcome, regardless of the nature of the conflict. Set the Stage Nothing stresses us out quite like the words, “We need to talk.” You just know something bad is going to follow those words, and in most cases, you’ll be right. Rather than starting a difficult conversation off with …