1. The Medium of Work is Conversation
Authentic Leadership
The Medium of Work is Conversation

2. 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

3. 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….

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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