Our Conversation Evolution

It is interesting to watch change unfolding over time. The different emphases placed on how we look at the world.

There was a time where a popular communications program was called "Dealing with difficult people".

Then we took the blame off the individual and worked with "Difficult Conversations".

With feedback, we were concerned with "Giving Feedback" because we both needed to be courageous and look after the feelings of others. But then we considered that they may have some responsibility here too, and it transformed into "Giving and Receiving Feedback".

Now, thankfully, we try and take any threat associated with feedback out of the equation by giving people some agency around the process. We think about how to support and encourage people in "Seeking Feedback".

When we find ONE THING we want to do better, ask a trusted and truthful colleague for specific feedback, and do it at the time.

For example, I will ask a colleague to sit in on some of my sessions to get their opinion of how I am doing with the ONE THING I am looking to improve.

The nice thing is that it often leads to other discoveries. "Can I share something else I noticed?" isn't so scary after I had already tested myself.