Conversing for Business Results

May 2005 - BEK Best Practices Newsletter

Why do we talk to each other? What is our purpose? In some cases it is to learn what we don’t know. In other cases it is to win an argument or demonstrate how much we do know, or to convince others that we are right. When we argue it is generally because we lack curiosity, whereas when we engage in interactive dialog or conversations a high level of curiosity is typically present.

Conversations Targeted at Business Success

Most of us spend a significant percentage of our time in meetings and on the phone. In order to optimize our time and the overall effectiveness of meetings, it is important to have focused conversations that explore the issues at hand. Taking the time within the meeting to understand the underlying assumptions, beliefs, and feelings that shape the way individuals and groups think and operate helps you target conversations for business success.

What Prevents Successful Dialog

Here are a few key reasons why many of us have difficulties targeting our conversations. People don’t:

• Feel safe saying what is really on their mind
• Listen closely
• Want to look stupid if they say the wrong thing
• Feel welcome or included in the group
• Share the same levels of understanding
• Disconnect emotion from the issue

Most of us have faced these challenges at one time or another. Often in these types of sessions people are:

• Trying to prove how much is already known
• Defending a point of view or trying to prove right or wrong
• Attempting to show their competence or intellectual prowess

The Components of a Successful Conversation

So what is needed to have a meaningful and productive dialog? People must:

• Share and listen to others\
• Appreciate the shared challenge of unifying a chaotic flow of experiences
• Reflect on the many points of view
• Unify individual experiences into a coherent discussion that has shared meaning

Your business success depends on the attitude you take. Curiosity and respect are essential elements that motivate your attitude in conversations. If others perceive that you are curious and interested in what they have to say, they will share and you can integrate the thoughts and opinions of many into successful business decisions.

Curiosity is an openness and desire to explore your point of view and the point of view of others. What effect, positive and negative, do these different points of view have? What are they based on?

Respect is giving others attention and refraining from interfering while they share their viewpoint. We are all trying to do the “right” thing and make the company and ourselves successful. What can be gained by respecting the thoughts and opinions of others – even if you disagree with what they have to say?

What can you do in order to improve communications in your organization? What beliefs do you have that may prevent you from being open to what others have to say? What are the implications of these beliefs? What can you do to make others feel included in the process?

We’d love to hear about your experiences with conversations geared toward business results. You can email these and other comments to .

Next month's topic: Are You Challenging the Process?

For more information, contact BEK Enterprises at:

Web: www.bekteam.com
E-mail:
Phone: 720-304-3300

Did you enjoy this article? Let us write one for you. Editing services provided by Lorie Loe and Associates. Lorie Loe and Associates specializes in the development and implementation of marketing and communications materials that maximize brand awareness and lead generation.

Copyright | Getting On and Off the List

Unless otherwise attributed, all material is written and edited by Blair Koch, BEK Enterprises.
All rights reserved. 2005

You may reprint material from this newsletter in other electronic or print publications provided the above copyright notice and a link to http://www.bekteam.com is included in the credits. Please send us a copy of the publication.

You can get off this list by replying to this email and putting Unsubscribe in the subject line.

When you forward this material, please send the entire newsletter. Thanks!

Privacy Statement | Contact Info
We never sell, rent, or loan subscriber information to any third party. Period.

Back to Newsletter Archives