Coaching School Results Newsletter

Volume 2. Issue 11

NOVEMBER 2006

Raising Our Consciousness About The Nature of Conversations

In her book Fierce Conversations, Susan Scott asserts that conversations are the work of the leader and the workhorse of organizations. She states, “While no single conversation is guaranteed to change the trajectory of a career, a business, a marriage, or a life, any single conversation can.” (Fierce Conversations, Forward)

We will focus on two fundamental premises relating to conversations in our next two newsletter articles. These premises are:

Our lives succeed or fail one conversation at a time
The conversation is the relationship

If we hold these ideas as true, having intentional conversations is a critical component of our daily interactions in all areas of our lives. What kind of conversations cause our lives to succeed or fail?

Think about a recent conversation you have had.

What was the nature of that conversation?
What was the outcome/result of the conversation?
What changed because of the conversation?
How did you change?

If we:

are quick to judge, offer opinions, or solutions without allowing time for dialogue
are distracted by other pressing concerns
do not examine assumptions

we have squandered precious time and wasted an opportunity to make a difference.

If we:

raise our consciousness about the intentionality of our conversations
create opportunities to have authentic conversations, using skills of empathic listening and clear, purposeful speaking

we have created the potential for desired change.

How have these thoughts raised your consciousness about the nature of your conversations?

What will you do differently in your next conversation?.

By Frances Shuster, Board Member

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES