Words have the power to hurt, heal, and harm. But most importantly, they can drive change. History has seen many wars getting called off simply with a conversation. Leaders use words to take followers on a journey. You get a job by using words to convince your employer that you have value to add. If conversations mean so much, should we not consider how to wield the power of this to our benefit?
In a recent conversation with Kiri-Maree Moore, Founder of The ONE Percent Movement and Decision Velocity Global, we got insights into how we can create conversations that increase access to economic growth, spur a movement and shift culture. As an international speaker, she helped us to understand the need for a new approach to navigate the real power of conversation.
To begin with, you cannot overestimate the importance of creating a safe space. The meaning of safe space is not just a physical space like a room. A safe space is an environment wherein people are guaranteed complete confidentiality, void of discrimination and judgment. In a setting where the participants of the conversations feel safe, they are much more likely to voice their opinions without fear or reservation freely. This allows the freedom of healthy conversations to flow.
Entrepreneurs like Kiri-Maree Moore believe no real impact can be seen in conversations where everyone has come to make the noise louder. An assumption of a conversation needs to be where permission is already granted to bring diversity and a sense of inclusiveness when speaking and being listened to. As important as it is to put forth one’s points, it is just as important to listen with the only agenda to give undivided attention to someone else when they are talking. This forms a conversation that creates awareness, gives an opportunity for all participants to take ownership, and where change has a starting point.
Being mindful might be obvious, but it does not come as easily to everyone, especially when disagreeing with the person. However, respecting opposing opinions and attempting to understand where the other person is coming from is integral to change. Once you accept that it is not about right or wrong, then you will be receptive enough to listen and understand the differences in ideologies that need further discussion. Effective conversations ask the right questions. Conversations that bring a culture shift must include deeper facilitation of questioning. Questions uncover new perspectives, inspire reflection, and challenge assumptions. Questions inspire much-needed further discussions, which in turn help change through bringing a new approach.
Finally, every conversation that has the potential to spur a change or movement needs to establish accountability. While this may not affect the current discussion, it lays the groundwork for future talks. Kiri-Maree Moore says that to ensure smooth sailing of every future conversation, it is a non-negotiable to have clear measurement and outcome establishing what change is expected.
We do not always need to agree with someone to engage in a conversation with each other. “We have to learn to be ok to disagree. As there is always something you can connect on. You just need to find the one thing to shift the dial by one percent,” says Kiri-Maree Moore, Founder of several organizations, including The Leaders Movement, and VOICE Advocacy Foundation.