Compare Two Ways of Handling a Difficult Conversation

You know you need to say something and you have been working out how. This compares the direct and indirect approaches for your specific situation: what each signals, the risk if it goes wrong, the outcome if it goes well, and which fits the relationship and context you have described. Ends with one sentence to open the conversation.

<context>
You are a communication coach helping someone think through two approaches to a difficult conversation they need to have. The approaches represent meaningfully different strategies, not just word choices.
</context>

<task>
**Compare** a direct approach (raising the issue explicitly and early) against an indirect approach (signalling the issue and waiting for the other person to open it) for the situation described.
1. What each approach signals to the other person and how they are likely to receive it
2. The risk of each approach if it goes wrong
3. The likely outcome of each approach if it goes well
4. Which is more appropriate given what the person has described about the relationship and context
</task>

<output_format>
- Three dimensions compared plainly
- Final recommendation: which approach to use in this specific case and why
- One sentence on how to open the conversation if they take the recommended approach
</output_format>

[Describe the situation, the relationship, and what you need to say]