Factual Conversations, Opinions, and Leadership
Do you have factual conversations? What about in the staff meeting, are facts being presented or more of just opinions?
Effective communication is a highly sought-after skill. One great thing about communication is that even just one person on the team learning to be more effective can help team performance.
Have you considered how you verbally communicate? What about your written word in things like email or text messaging?
Workplace Conversation
Imagine at the start of the staff meeting someone is late. Let’s assume that someone is named Susan.
Suddenly a meeting member blurts out, “Let’s just get started, Susan is always late.”
Always?
Nobody wonders whether is Susan is always late, or just late once in a while. Is always a fact or an opinion?
Multiply this concept to the daily narrative floating around your workplace. How much of the communication is factual?
There is an argument to factual communication. The argument is that it is often not as compelling.
Buy our new product, we recently sold 3 to the first customer.
As compared to:
Buy our new product, it’s selling fast.
Opinions are often disguised as facts when they are delivered in a compelling and impact-oriented manner. In addition, when you prey on the recipient’s emotions it often calls people to action.
Fear is a big seller.
Start using this product today. Act now before we’re sold out.
The fear of course, is that if you don’t buy now, there won’t be any left to purchase.
Factual Conversations
Leading in your workplace environment is always about communication. You are often selling. Whether it is selling your ideas, creating buy-in for a change effort, or selling motivation and inspiration.
One of the biggest underlying challenges of leadership is navigating balance. With everything there is a magical balance.
Are you having factual conversations? What is providing the most impact?
The most impact often exists somewhere in the middle. The exact facts matter and often spark action when communicated in a compelling manner.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and corporate trainer. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
