Winter Chills – and making it ‘Crisp!’

Any time is a good time for reflection, and as winter is upon us in New Zealand now, it seems apt to focus on ‘crisp’ communication (or ‘fierce’ if you prefer!).

Some time ago I read an interesting book called ‘Fierce Conversations’ by Susan Scott. It is about achieving success at work and in life, one conversation at a time.

I find ‘fierce’ a semantically-packed, or ‘loaded’ word for me, so I’ve tended to use the word ‘crisp’ instead – hence the link with winter.

Either way, I think they have much in common:

• ‘Fierce’ is about conversations that can be robust, intense, strong, powerful, passionate, eager and/or ‘unbridled.’
• ‘Crisp’ can mean firm, dry and brittle; and it can also mean brisk, bracing, fresh, refreshing, invigorating, stimulating, energizing, exhilarating, rousing and fortifying. You choose!

With this in mind, I’d like you to ask yourself this question from Susan: ‘When did you last act with courage, care and confidence?’ And my question is: ‘Would you like to be able to engage in such a way that your conversations get to say what you mean?’

There is an neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) saying that goes: ‘The meaning of my communication is the response I get.’

Think about this.

How often have you had a conversation and then been frustrated that the other party either hasn’t understood you or has misunderstood you?

Here’s ‘the thing!’

• What is real about your conversation?
• Do you get to the core of the issue?
• How authentic and honest are you being?
• What is the quality of your conversation like – are you being truly clear and accurate?
• Are you being ‘agenda-free’?

Come into the conversation with empty hands. Bring nothing but yourself.

Susan Scott writes a very compelling story about achieving success at work and in life one conversation at a time and her book guides you through and is packed with examples.

I know I have had a ‘fierce’ (or ‘crisp’!) conversation when:

1. I overhear myself saying things I didn’t know I knew.
2. I didn’t take notes and I remembered every word.
3. I listened with more than my ears.
4. I took myself and my companion/other party personally and seriously.
5. I left the conversation satisfied, satiated, wakeful, fully-alive and eager for more.

Think about this: When we are real with ourselves and others, the change occurs before the conversation has ended.

So…

Consolidate

Hibernate

Invest in new knowledge

Love lots – and

‘Live’ the Winter of 2016!