Space for Change
Search website
  • Home
  • Services
  • About Miriam
  • Appreciative Inquiry
  • Strengthscope ™
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Interesting Links
  • Contact Space For Change

Welcome to my blog - The People Factor!

I am both fascinated by and passionate about matters of change, leadership and personal freedom and growth - so here are some of my thoughts on the topics! I would love to hear yours!

Click here to return to Home page

The Number 1 Most Important Characteristic of a Powerful Conversation….

6/3/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
One could argue that organisations are just a whole series of conversations. Some conversations take the shape of meetings where critical decisions are made or ways forward negotiated, others are social conversations, held over tea breaks or at the water cooler.

Many respected thinkers and writers on the topic of organisational change such as Peter Senge and Margaret J. Wheatley write about bringing about positive change through the power of conversation (ref: The World Cafe: Shaping Our Futures Through Conversations That Matter by Juanita Brown, David Isaacs, Corld Cafe Community, Margaret J. Wheatley, Peter Senge).

If you really want to learn what an organisation is about, what it's values are, what type of place it is to work in, wander around for a while and listen to the conversations that are taking place, on the production floor, in the board rooms, at the water coolers. If you want to bring about some positive change in an organisation, a good place to start, and some might say the only place to start, is with those conversations.

In my personal experience of working with organisations and teams to develop cultures of innovation, high performance and success, the one thing that allows individuals and teams to engage fully in their work is the feeling that what they think and do matters. And one of the simplest, most powerful ways to give them that feeling is to listen to them and to make sure that they feel heard.

So, if you want to start having some powerful, positive conversations in your organisation today, the number one most important thing you can do is start listening and ensure that everyone else starts listening too. And be careful, this type of listening is not shutting your mouth long enough to let the other person finish speaking. It is listening with the intention of truly understanding (as Stephen Covey says in his 7 Habits). It is listening hard enough to ensure that the other person is heard and feels heard. Then you will find them able to listen to you and to engage with their whole heart and mind.

What are your thoughts of the most important aspects of a powerful conversation? Have you used the power of conversation to bring about change in your workplace?

To learn more about how you can change the conversations in your workplace contact Miriam at mailto:miriam@spaceforchange.ie


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Miriam O'Connell is an experienced change management consultant and leadership coach. She has worked across many industries both as an internal and external consultant. She is passionate about everything to do with creating thriving organisations and with enabling leaders to tap into their own wisdom and values to lead effectively and courageously.
    You can contact Miriam by email at miriam@spaceforchange.ie

    View my profile on LinkedIn

    Archives

    May 2015
    July 2014
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    January 2013
    October 2012
    May 2012
    September 2011
    August 2011

    Categories

    All
    Challenge
    Change
    Conversation
    Death
    Employee Engagement
    Leadership
    Life
    People Factor

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    RSS Feed

Privacy Policy