Conversations at work: promoting a culture of conversation in the changing workplace

In: Palgrave pocket consultants

Abstract

For any organization to achieve its goals people need to interact, and those interactions require dialogue and conversation. Thanks to technology, we seem to be having fewer genuine conversations than we used to. The question every contemporary manager must address is: How often am I using (or even hiding behind) technology when a person-to-person, face-to-face conversation is possible, or preferable? Simple, everyday, supportive conversations are the building blocks of effective relationships; they establish the context for more difficult, challenging conversations by building acceptance and understanding. The ability to hold meaningful and constructive conversations is one of the essential skills leaders at all levels of organizations must develop. A mark of leadership must be the courage and competence to talk openly, clearly, fairly, and confidently about issues that matter - the ability to have conversations at work. --