Specialists in Asset Management

Conversations

In a conversation, are you a leader or a follower?

Leaders of a conversation tend to speak more than the other party. These people are generally problem-solvers and may speak as much as 94% of the time. Leaders attempt to “sell” their ideas to the other party, thereby persuading the change of the other party’s position. This can be an unfair and inappropriate method of gathering support for a particular position.

Is the leader of a conversation noticeably more of a conversationalist? Is the recipient of the leader’s ideas failing to speak as a matter of courtesy, lack of debate, or neither?

Personalities are a determining factor as to who will lead a conversation. Individuals with strong personalities will gain momentum in the perpetuation of their idea and will often persuade other parties to adopt their position more often than may be desirable.

A practiced conversationalist understands various personalities. Participation in the exchange of ideas is encouraged by this type of conversationalist to gather information prior to the decision-making process.

All participants must gain the skill of listening first, and sequentially providing an opinion on the subject. A lack of good exchange of ideas will make room for misunderstanding and disagreement, often resulting in a poor decision.

When speaking, speak slowly and provide pauses for other participants’ questions.

Always:
1. Ask open-ended question; if clarification is required, paraphrase the idea.
2. Ask questions that probe into other participants’ statements.
3. Stay involved, do not wander from a conversation.
4. Be genuinely interested in other ideas.
5. Do not be offensive or short-sighted when varying ideas are being presented.
6. Be respectful of all parties.
7. Acknowledge that the best ideas are often derived from the brainstorming of all participants.
8. Be fair.