Posts Tagged ‘David Butter’

All the problems in the world are caused by conversations that did not happen. I wish I could recall and credit the Danish facilitator who told me that at a recent conference in Copenhagen. These problems usually occur for one or more of the following reasons:

1. No conversation took place

2. The wrong conversation took place.

3. Insufficient thinking went into the conversation.

4. People weren’t listening.

5. Minds did not open and options were not considered

6. The right people were not present or invited

7. Insufficient time and space was given to the conversation.

Conversation requires turning things around (from the Latin versare to turn). It needs different points of view. A so called conversation where everyone is in violent agreement at the outset is unsatisfying and can lead to the problems my Danish colleague described.

One of the best conversations I ever experienced was on jury service. After five hours we were split 10:2 and left for the evening. I was sure the two who were holding out for a not guilty verdict would ’see the light’. But no! Next morning our count was 9:3. It took another five hours, but eventually we reached a unanimous guilty verdict. The conversation was of the highest quality. The commitment of all twelve of us to the decision, as we told the judge, was total.

It takes time. But that’s what it takes. There are techniques for improving the quality and effectiveness of conversations. The role of a facilitator, as that of the foreman of a jury, is no more nor less than to facilitate a conversation.

As the problems in the world, and in the workplace, become ever more complex the quality of our conversations has never been more important.

Comments welcome!

So companies are at last ‘taking Web 2.0 tools seriously’ to tap into collective intelligence, www.ft.com/digitalbusiness.

But it begs the question: Why don’t we just talk? Have a Live 2.0 conversation with our customers, our people, our suppliers?

They all know that business as usual is not an option. They all know that none of us has all the answers - let alone the questions. They want to be part of a shared future.

Web 2.0 tools can indeed deliver real business benefits.

But nothing beats getting key stakeholders together in real time, on neutral territory away from the office, building trust, co-creating new ways forward, and making shared commitments, and acting on them fast. Live 2.0.

You can facilitate the conversation yourself. Or you can use a professional facilitator (www.iaf-world.org).

But you have to talk. And listen.

David has become a twitterer.

Be honest: which resource is more precious to you: your budget? or your time?

I thought so.

Second question: Which resource do you focus on spending more effectively: your budget? or your time?

I thought so . Different answer to the first question, right?

One more question! Who do you spend more time with: your colleagues? or your customers? Yep. Most of us do!

So here’s the offer. Let’s spend 48 hours with your customers. Sure, bring all your senior management colleagues and any other key stakeholders. .yes that can include non-execs and even your Chairman.

You’ll achieve more in a two day co-creative forum, than a month of Sundays writing and delivering and listening to power point presentations at meetings with your management colleagues ( That’s what’s taking your time, right?)

Believe me it works. (Or if you don’t believe me ask my clients or their customers.) You’ll save time. Your customers will be happy you listened to them -and you’ll reach a new level of trust and understanding.

My guess is you’ll be pleased you spent time on what was important, rather than what was urgent. You may even find you didn’t need to write or listen to that power point presentation after all.