What Kinds of Conversations Are You Having?
Craig (not pictured) getting the Momentum team engaged with humor.
We’ve all been in a disengaged meeting before.
You’re standing in front of your team or addressing them via video, and all you get are blank stares. Maybe they look distracted or vaguely irritated. And you ask yourself, What do I have to do to get everyone engaged, to buy in and participate?
To increase team meeting engagement, start with the context.
Ask yourself and be clear about what the meeting or conversation should accomplish. Once you are clear about the context of your message, the content will naturally flow.
The following is inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. Fernando Flores to help you create a context. Every high-performing team is built on a foundation of trust. To build and grow trust within your teams, pay attention to the types of conversations you are having.
A conversation for relationship addresses the type of working relationship needed to get things done. It answers the following questions:
How are we are going to work together?
What are the aligned BEHAVIORS we are committed to for our culture?
A conversation for possibility allows each team member to contribute from their unique individual perspectives. There are no wrong questions or answers. It helps answer the questions:
What is the purpose of this project, initiative or our business, and WHY are we doing it?
What does this project, initiative or our business make possible in the world?
A conversation for opportunity focuses on the strategy and answers the questions:
HOW are we going to get this done?
What is the roadmap, focus and direction needed to get there?
A conversation for action is required to execute the strategy. It is the simplest, and yet often the most difficult, for teams to stay on point to address: WHO, WHAT, BY WHEN.
Also, be sure to check in and ask if people can relate to what is being said. Is it relevant to their needs, and does it address what is important to them? Most importantly, are you being clear, and are you paying attention to what people take away from your communication?
When trust has been established, relationships get stronger.
When relationships are strong, possibility is present and people want to come to work and contribute. When possibility is alive, the opportunity and strategy become crystal clear. And when you are aligned behind the opportunity, conversations for action grow into the everyday fabric of interactions within your culture.
All my best,
Fundamental of the Week #18: PRACTICE BLAMELESS PROBLEM-SOLVING
Focus on finding a solution, not who is at fault; apply your creativity, spirit and enthusiasm to developing solutions. Then, identify lessons learned, and use those lessons to improve processes and strengthen relationships.
Momentum Consulting offers executive business coaching, top-level executive consulting, team trainings and team off-sites to build and transform your business to the next level. Inquire about business consulting and leadership coaching today.
