Great Performances Require Great Connections!

Language is the conduit of our work. It is powerful, at work and play. We say what we think. We write what we think, and what we think stems from where we have been and what we believe we know. How we use language to inform communication, our conversations, has the power to create camaraderie or conflict; progress or regression; connection or abandon. Failed interactions accounts for damaged relationships professionally and personally. We have all heard or spoken the following cries of frustration at one time or another:

▪                     You don't understand!                       

▪                     You are not listening!

▪                     Stop interrupting!

▪                     Get to the point!                    

▪                     You're overreacting!  

These are the audible expressions. More devastating and equally rampant are the silent statements of disappointment, fear, omission, misunderstanding, and anger that compromise relationships on every stage. Communication need not be successful to have occurred. Just as in tennis, you may win or lose a match, but in either case, you have played tennis.  When you cry, We are not communicating! - - - you are indeed communicating. Whether we do so effectively or not, is another matter.

In this global and virtual world, communication has become a mindless habit contributing to an epidemic of failed conversation. Messages can be terse, excessive, misinterpreted, or laden with emotional undercurrents. More than ever, organizations are challenged to create  generative spaces and mechanisms that facilitate conversations which spark imagination, creativity and energy….all of which is required for collaboration and innovation essential to tackle the fast pace of learning and problem solving which defines today’s business environment.  n short, great performances require great connections and electronic, distant, immediate communication does not suffice. They do not create generative spaces.

Enter, Artful Conversation. Artful conversation is emergent and begins with listening. Instead of preparing our response, we are present, absorbing the complete landscape: self, others, movement, tone, surroundings. Probing decodes the true message, encouraging a present and authentic response, in lieu of automatic responses. Synthesis weaves the facets of our experience and ensures action in real time. Artful Conversation reflects one’s ability to be present, authentic, and to synthesize - - - the fundamental elements of Aesthetic Intelligence.

How Artful is your conversation?