Conversations that Drive Meaningful Change
Learn how to communicate in a way that leads to action
TLDR:
When we view conversations as PART of action itself, rather than a precursor, our conversations become a tool with which we create a new and more rewarding future.
This doesn’t happen on accident, there are key components in order to achieve this.
Making a clear request
Getting agreement
Aligning on expectations
Confirming everything was done to satisfaction.
In this newsletter we will explore:
A new approach to conversations that moves us to action.
The components needed to become skilled in having these conversations.
How these conversations can help us advance in our careers and lives.
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When communication falls short
It is frustrating to try and communicate what we want or is important to us, only to receive little to no response or action from others.
No one likes to be ignored or overlooked.
The question we must ask is: is it possible to increase our skill in conversation, so we have more power and can become a catalyst for positive impact?
Conversations with a purpose
Writing code is having a conversation that leads to action.
Every line that is written should (presumably) have a desired outcome - there is a change that we want to make to the user experience or the way we pull data from a table.
You wouldn’t write a line of code without an intention behind it, the same is true for conversations.
Know what you want to create first.
Know what your request is.
Know what change you hope to make.
When we see conversations in this way - as a powerful tool to drive change - it alters both how we view the conversation itself and how we show up in it.
No one wants to write lines and lines of code that don’t do anything!
It’s the same with conversations. If you are feeling like your words aren’t landing or having an impact - here are a few shifts that you can make so that your conversations drive change.
Know what you want (Make a request)
What do you want to see happen?
What do you want from the other person?
What future do you want to create?
Make a request and ask for what you want.
Until you know what you want, the conversation will not lead to action.
Make room for a response (Affirm/Deny)
After a request is made, we don’t always validate or wait for the confirmation (affirm or deny) from the other person.
Sometimes we are moving too quickly, sometimes we are afraid of the answer, either way, until we make room for a response, the conversation will not lead toward action.
Confirm completion (By when)
This might be one of the most crucial and overlooked step. Asking “by when do you need this?” creates an agreed upon timeline.
Did we do it? (Declare satisfaction)
Did the actions taken give you what you were looking for? Are there things still to be done before everyone is satisfied that the future we were intending to create was accomplished? Confirming that the desired outcome was achieved is the last step.
Why this matters
In a world where we need to get things done, speed and accuracy are important. Becoming skillful at these powerful types of conversations is vitally important as you move your career forward and seek to be a powerful player in the tech and development world.
We innovate better and faster when we have intentional conversations designed to create change.
Conversations that get things done don’t happen by accident.
Conversations actually create the future.
What do you think?
Can you start to see how adding these components into your conversations could transform them?
Do you want to be featured in an upcoming newsletter, where we dive deeper into this framework?? If so, submit a comment about how this framework might be helpful for you or any questions you have.
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