Approach every conversation with intention and clarity.

You might be in it because you need something: advice, listening, a hug?

You might be in it because something is needed of you.

One way or the other, making the need explicit increases the chances of actually having a successful conversation.

The alternative is to assume that something has happened when in fact it never did. We had a fantastic chat and we are perfectly aligned now. Except you are not.

Most often, you do not have the time to figure it out. So, ask instead.