Being Comfortable With Discomfort

Yesterday I was on a call with a client who kept pushing back on our proposal. It wasn’t hostile, but it was uncomfortable. My team later admitted they felt drained—they wanted the conversation to end.

I understood that feeling. But I also knew that moment mattered.

The tension wasn’t a sign we were failing—it was a sign we were getting closer to the truth of what the client really needed.

I’ve felt the same thing in feedback sessions with colleagues. The air gets heavy, people hesitate, and every instinct tells you to back off. But that awkwardness usually means you’re cutting past politeness and finally talking about what really drives performance.

Discomfort shows up in moments like these. Most see it as a signal to retreat. But often, it’s the clearest sign you’re working on something important and moving in the right direction.

The edge comes from embracing the discomfort others avoid—because that’s where the breakthroughs hide.