The Medium of Work is Conversation Authentic Leadership The Medium of Work is Conversation
Some facts Human beings are LINGUISTIC beings—”we live in language like fish live in water” Language is GENERATIVE, not passive or simply descriptive To speak and listen is to ACT--the first step that shapes our conversations and determines our capacity to coordinate work together Language is a powerful tool for DESIGNING CONVERSATIONS aimed at coordinating action, accomplishing desired results, and satisfying our needs and concerns
What is a conversation? What kinds are there? A conversation is a way of interacting designed and conducted to build a relationship or create understanding or search for possibilities or to coordinate action aimed at producing a desired outcome at a future time and place or deal with a breakdown Our success in life and in business is a function of our ability to engage in and effectively manage the many kinds of conversations we need to engage in We will come back to these but first….
Conversation for understanding PURPOSE: To create shared clarity and consensus on the root cause of an issue or opportunity LISTEN FOR: Clarity & understanding, consensus, agreement, assessments, assertions, inference or beliefs OUTCOMES: Problems or opportunities clearly defined (for which possible solutions can be created) SKILLS: Presence, listening, openness, empathy, analysis POTHOLES: Defining away confusion or ambiguity, jumping to solutions
Conversation for possibilities PURPOSE: To explore future possibilities regarding a topic of mutual interest LISTEN FOR: Assessments, assertions, what might happen, what would it take, new connections OUTCOMES: Insight, learning, creativity, greater capacity to generate desired results SKILLS: Openness, curiosity, drawing others out, tolerance for ambiguity POTHOLES: Closing down, rushing, becoming negative (“yes, but”), not testing assumptions, inability to tolerate uncertainty
Conversation for action PURPOSE: Generate shared commitment to coordinate future actions and produce desired outcomes LISTEN FOR: Clear requests, conditions of satisfaction, promises, offers, counter-offers, declarations OUTCOMES: Alignment, tasks accomplished, effectiveness, accountability, satisfaction SKILLS: Clarifying, focusing, decision-making, discipline POTHOLES: Lack of clarity & focus, not testing assumptions, unwillingness to commit