Think about a conversation you had recently that was very rewarding for you. What about that conversation made it satisfying?
When I think back recently on a conversation I had that left me feeling effective, the conversation spurred a huge desire to learn.
This week, when you engage in conversations try to think about how you can provoke learning for yourself and those you’re communicating with.
For example, I was speaking with a friend about a sensitive subject I thought I had a very firm position on. My friend held the exact opposite opinion about the same subject. The topic was emotionally charged for both of us, and yet, we approached the conversation as a chance to provoke each other’s learning by mutually agreeing to not shy away from our differences and instead embrace the chance to see another side.
We did this by asking each other a lot of questions and really exploring the other’s perspective. We focused on not getting defensive when our viewpoint was cross-examined, and we shared with one another what we learned, and where and how our own opinions were formed.
The conversation was 15 – 20 minutes long, and in that short amount of time, I deepened a relationship that I had always thought of as more surface-level.
Conversations are the lifeblood of expanding your learning…and your relationships.
Think of the possibilities!
Tags: #Inadequate Training, #Lack Of Transparency, #Miscommunication
