There are a number of core beliefs that help all of us have better conversations with the important people in our lives. One of them is the belief that Conversation Partners are Equals. Put differently, we’re more likely to feel conversations have been helpful if we’re given the status we think we deserve. In contrast, when we feel diminished/invalidated by others, we’re more likely to start defending ourselves - beginning with the thought ‘what kind of person would say that!’. The antidote? It’s not about accepting everything others have to say. It’s about the belief that he or she is doing the best they can at that moment.