Having the Conversations that Matter Most

 Is there a hard conversation that you have been putting off having because you’re just not sure how it’s going to go?  With the right skills, your conversations can create the connections that we are all seeking, especially in the workplace. Conversations and connections have the power to impact the bottom line, affect employee retention rates and have a positive- or negative- impact on your work. On this career-focused episode of the Digital Enterprise Society podcast, Thom Singer is joined by diversity consultant and professional speaker Jessica Pettitt for a conversation about conversations.  Jessica shares insights into the power of connection through conversations and the skills that result in the meaningful conversations that impact our relationships.    On today’s podcast, you will learn: The conversations you need to be having (and probably aren’t)  The hardest conversations can be the ones that have the greatest impact on your relationships.  The cost of the conversations that aren’t happening in the workplace is incalculable in terms of retention, reputation, and job satisfaction.  Politics, religion, relationships, and life struggles are topics that are traditionally left out of the workplace, but should they be?  The best way to bring people together is to have responsible and respectful conversations.  Increased self-awareness is essential, and happens when we are willing to try to have those difficult conversations.    Better conversations result in better connections Build up the skills you need before you need them.  Practice your skills by elevating your connection with humanity- just try to make someone smile.  Listen to others as if they know something you don’t.  Identify how others are doing through their body language or punctuation.  Remember- you are 100% responsible for the words that you say.    The skills that result in the meaningful conversations Do not fight to win or to be right in the conversation.  Show genuine curiosity in the other person.  Make sure you are listening at least as much as you talk.  Remember- your goal is to increase your connection, not to ‘win’ the conversation.    Understanding the other person in the conversation  Recognize that your story about the other person may not be accurate.  Your story has been crafted to make you feel safe and prepared.  Find ways to edit your story about the other person to find more truth about them.  Curiosity and generosity are essential to positive interactions.  Judgements and assumptions about others are human nature, but what you do with them is your responsibility.    Doing the best that you can right now Conversations should not be about external validation. Do the best that you can right now with what you’ve already got some of the time.  Don’t expect that everything is going to go perfectly immediately.  Be willing to try even when you don’t know how things will go.  Admit that you are nervous, and that you are willing to try.    Continue the conversation with us within the Digital Enterprise Society Community at www.DigitalEnterpriseSociety.org.   Digital Download: Virtual Round-Table Series