Elevating a conversation requires awareness of the other person’s story. That story may differ from ours, leading them to make assumptions that confuse us or take approaches to the conversation that surprise us. These hidden factors aren’t always disruptive, but they can sometimes stifle momentum and progress: My concerns are often dismissed. I don’t have enough expertise for my opinion to matter. If I question something, they will think I’m not on board. Getting the most out of a conversation requires a sensitivity to potential counterproductive beliefs—plot points hidden between the lines that muddy means of communication. When we identify and understand them, we can more easily untangle the snags.
Questions
What message did you initially miss that became clear once you understood more of the story?
Think of a time someone seemed unable to receive your message. What might have gone wrong?
Are unspoken assumptions within the team influencing the heart of the matter now?
(Part three of a five-part series)