Conversation Vs Communication

This is based another enlightening IdeaCast

How Effective Leaders Talk (and Listen)

  It is directed toward big business but the difference between communications and conversations are critical to every relationship.

Most GOOD organizations including nonprofit associations focus on good communication to their members or employees.

GREAT organizations understand that engagement is not engendered by being good at communicating outwardly but by being thoroughly invested in listening intently.

When I share this proposition with leaders they often express the concern that this would be like opening up a can of unwanted worms but the opposite is actually true.

When communications are transparent the process is more peer policing than problem producing.

1. Those who have valid complaints or suggestions need to be heard and their suggestions should be responded to.

2. Those who have used their grievances to stir up back room discontent will think twice before publicly posting unreasonable acrimony knowing their opinions will be evaluated by their peers.

3. The third benefit is to the peers that have been consistently subjected to those who are incessantly cynical now have the ability to redirect their coworkers derisive discontent to an appropriate forum.

Use this link for a list of twenty irresistible benefits to creating an open, transparent, collaborative, conversational system.

The way to evaluate whether you are creating an authentic conversational buzz is simple.

Are your members or employees communicating up the ladder, between each other and across organizational boundaries in ways that are:

1. Intentional-purpose driven
2. Intimate-close in spirit
3. Inclusive-transparent and open to everyone
4. Interactive-dialogue not just monologue

I find that stories are always the best way to create a shared understanding and the best contrast between communication and conversation was included in The Starfish and The Spider comparing the USSR and USA in 1917.  While the US and Europe were installing telephones the USSR decided to control the flow of information by installing loudspeakers.  Now look at the difference in our countries a century later.  Sure real conversations can be difficult but the alternative is a lot like living in present day North Korea.