Talking About Conversations

Let’s face it. The “noise” of all the advice, thoughts, exhortations, comments and the stuff of that ilk, which comes our way in our daily life, is of a huge order.  What’s worse, that scale is only going to increase in the times ahead. Technology has enabled putting our thoughts out there in the open so much easier, simpler and cheaper.  

Of course, all the sharing and chatter has huge benefits. As with everything else there are downsides too. Here’s the big question that stalks us relentlessly: How do we make sense of it all?  How do we sift through the mega stuff to find the most appropriate pearls and consequently apply them to our contexts?

Amongst the few lessons that I clutch on to, after working with a fantastic array of professionals and partners, the one that stands tall is this: the loudest voice or the narrative that is most often heard is not necessarily the most appropriate to me. Sometimes the most loud and most often heard, can be so far away from being ‘true’, that it can well be called ‘strange’.

Many times what we hear can well be conflicting pieces of ‘advice’. Each of which is a perspective from the person who delivers it. Each of which comes with all the experiences, backgrounds and expectations that is exclusive to the person who advices.  The ability to sort the noise out and zero in on aspects that would work for each one of us, is a skill that each one of us needs to build. 

It gets complicated when the inordinate emphasis on speed that the world lays out today overrides the high place that reflection and deeper understanding had in society.  The ability to entertain a thought, without accepting it (or dismissing it) is critical to our modern day living. Obviously, this is often missed. ‘Who has the time’, you see!

The truth of the matter however is this: Our success depends on new ideas. Superior ideas. Pragmatic solutions. Answers to problems that stalk us on a daily basis. The power of ideas and solutions needn’t be emphasised more.

Hearing a diverse set of ideas from the right people, making sense of them all and working on a few that applies to our contexts works me.

So here is a simple formula that I put together that works for me. May you consider this for a brief bit before you dismiss or accept it!  (This obviously comes from reading, speaking and talking about it aloud. I must also disclose that I read and follow the works of Harold Jarche and that has had its impact.  So, if you this rings a bell, well, it is meant to

Strong Ideas / Solutions are a product of 

Interactions with a Diverse set of People X Frequency of the interactions X Depth of the interactions. For purposes of ease: Ideas = Diversity X Frequency X Depth

Let me hasten to explain.

a) A Diversity of People: Seeking ideas and insights from a diverse set of people is important. Nationalities, gender, backgrounds, ages, professions etc. More the diversity, more the contexts that emerge. Regularly meeting people from diverse backgrounds, who have perspectives to share, features in several successful leaders’ calendar.

Of course, the online world multiplies those possibilities infinitely, for all the experts and more are already having multiple conversations on a open format. Listening to those conversations online can in itself be enriching. 

My personal preference is for people who do not waft in jargon or a certain ‘prescriptive Do’s and Don’ts.  I look for the open minded people, whose strength lies in their outlook of sharing their thoughts and being open to be challenged.   Making it a point to talk to at least two people with different perspectives that are working on diverse projects or solving interesting problems, every week is a good start.  

In addition to in person connection the digital world spawns millions of tweets, podcasts, youtube videos, blogposts etc, all awaiting a sifting through. Some ground work and searching can be enticing. From my experiencing plunging in and using these make a big difference.

b) Depth of interactions: Many times, it’s not a straight forward answer.  More often, its not even an answer! Interactions often cause reflection.  My answers often come from talking about what I hear, aloud. On blogs, or to other people in the context of my challenges.  Deeper the conversation, going far beyond the immediate problem always leads to greater understanding of current day problems.  For me, I always prefer keeping conversations open and often, aimless.  

c) Frequency of interactions: How often a person is able to hear diverse points of views and has the opportunity to reflect on and talk about these to a personal learning network has brought in results of a far higher order.   The regularity of conversations with a set of people helps relationships and a learning network to blossom. These conversations and interactions build a good support system over time

All three of the above, don’t provide me with perfect answers.  For, the answer is something that I have to construct. Something that fits my needs.

Every interaction is at best a thread. The answers are best woven from different threads that emerge from multiple interactions.  Each thread is a thought that is entertained without accepting or rejecting initially.  The weaving of the threads according to my requirements of fashion and fit is for me to do. The warp and weave of every garment that we wear can make us stand out or slink into the obscurity of one more person.

To sustain this and make it part of our way of being is important. One way to do it is to weave this pattern of meeting different people and talking, into daily rhythms of life. As this talking flourishes, realization dawns that when ideas and problems are discussed, reflected on, and contextually thought of, rich solutions emerge. Even to problems that weren’t discussed.

Such is the power of conversation. Who are you talking to next?