Three Suggestions for Meaningful Conversations
Be Present
- Show up physically, mentally and emotionally
- Keep phones off
- Give others the gift of your complete attention
Be Open
- Ask ‘How does what is being said change me?’
- Listen in order to understand rather than to reply
- Follow the conversation wherever it flows
Be Brave
- Speak of your first-hand thoughts, feelings and experiences (rather than second-hand opinions)
- Be vulnerable
- Dare to encourage others
JKG, May 2021
Photo by Kate Kalvach on Unsplash
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it is really helpful to have such practical suggestions aimed at better communication.
These ideas seem simple enough but are so frequently NOT followed.
Listening, really listening seems key to me among these ideas.. There are so many distractions that all too often take its place.
Thank you for this list.
What a great list of ideas and how difficult to practice. Being fully present is such a beautiful challenge. I also find the list useful when it comes time to facilitating good group conversation and helping with questions like, How to keep the conversation moving deeper? How to promote widespread participation? How to understand and follow the flow? Thanks Kyle for the ideas.
I wish I could say I am a good listener. But I honestly think I am pretty average. It’s so easy to be well intentioned, but then to drift back into self-centeredness. The other day, my daughter Rebekah, who is a consultant shared a very concrete goal, that I am trying to work with. She said that in her field, the best consultants aim for facilitating conversations where they talk no more than 20% of the time. I’m trying to be more aware of this simple formula. Listening feels so hard so often, especially when I feel words burn inside me that want to get out!