A Better First Step for Difficult Feedback

When a cofounder has a concern, the first conversation doesn’t need to settle the whole disagreement. It needs to make room for both people to describe what they see—and choose what happens next.

Try a small, direct invitation: “I have one concern about our plan. Would you be open to talking it through for 15 minutes? It’s fine if now isn’t a good time.”

Then agree on one question to discuss. Each person gets a turn to explain their view; before responding, the other reflects back what they understood. Close by naming what you’ve agreed, what remains open, and whether either person wants a follow-up.

The useful boundary: an invitation to talk is not consent to change the plan. A clear first step can build understanding without deciding the outcome in advance.