Honest and open conversations foster teamwork, progress, trust, and just about everything else positive in the workplace. But poor communication derails important initiatives, wrecking morale and torpedoing 20% of projects.*
Conversational Capacity teaches people how to engage in constructive, learning-focused dialogue when challenging topics or conflicts arise so they can make informed decisions and find the best solutions, even under high pressure. That’s where difficult exchanges turn into learning opportunities and unfocused meetings become innovation incubators.
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF PRODUCTIVE EXCHANGES WERE THE NORM?
BEING A GREAT COMMUNICATOR AND LISTENER IS A SKILL
Conversational Capacity is the bedrock for a positive and productive workplace. It redirects all the energy wasted in unproductive exchanges into channels that benefit people and the enterprise.
CONVERSATIONAL CAPACITY
Conversational Capacity is the ability of an individual or a team to engage in open, balanced, nondefensive dialogue about difficult subjects and in challenging circumstances. It is also the sweet spot where innovation happens.
Conversational Capacity teaches learners the following:
- Awareness: Learners recognise when fight-or-flight reactions prevent real listening and create discomfort in others. This allows for a more intentional response to challenging conversations.
- Mindset: Exploring diverse perspectives and listening to contrasting views are emphasised, because that is where greatest opportunities for insights and growth are.
- Skillset: Four behaviours are essential to Conversational Capacity: two that build genuine candour and two that build curiosity. Balancing candour and curiosity creates the conversational sweet spot.
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Based on best practices, decades of research and real-life results, Blanchard’s programs and services develop great people, great managers, and great companies. Let’s talk about how we can help your organisation.
*Source: Project Management Institute, Inc., The Essential Role of Communications, May 2013.
**Source: Dynamic Signal, The Cost of Poor Employee Communication, 2018.