Truth and integrity are everything.
What do I mean by that?
Well, it's exactly as it sounds. They don't call them hard conversations because they're easy. You can't demand respect if you can't speak the (your) truth or hold yourself accountable. In life, almost daily, we find ourselves in situations that require accountability. Along with that, comes the hard conversation. Not just the one you are having with someone else, but the one you need to have with yourself. More and more I find myself in said situations. Work, business, personal relationships... it all boils down to the same basic concept.
Made a mistake? Own it.
Said some things out of anger or frustration? Own it.
If someone comes to you and says that something you did or something you said hurt them, instead of getting defensive or saying "that wasn't my intention"- own it. We (as a society) have a hard time grasping the concept that our words or our actions can hurt people. Just because it wasn't your intention doesn't mean the result is invalid. Accept that they hurt or feel disrespected. A simple "I'm sorry" goes a long way, but only if it's followed up with changed behavior.
I'll keep it short and simple. Own your words. Own your actions. Hold yourself accountable. Just because you don't think or feel like you did anything wrong, doesn't mean you didn't.