My colleague was angry at me. He thought I criticized him too much.

The immediate instinct was to be angry back.

Then I said ” I see you are angry at me. I understand it. I want you to know I am trying to do what is right for you. You are important to me”. I said what I felt.

He was still angry.

The day after I learned he accepted my advice, although he did not have to. I smiled. I knew he understood and appreciated.

I felt we have built something healthy together.

Now replace *colleague* with *kid*.

Be true.

Share values.