Rethinking Conversations: Two Shifts That Could Change Everything
We often enter conversations with the outcome front of mind. Did I persuade them? Did I get what I wanted? Did we agree on next steps?
But conversations aren’t always interactions to be “won”. They are opportunities to build trust, align values, and open space for clarity and collaboration. When the focus shifts away from winning the result and toward engaging the process, the quality of dialogue—and often the outcome—improves dramatically.
Here are two shifts worth considering:
1. Focus on Process, Not Just Outcome
Some results are simply beyond your control. What is within your control is how you prepare for a conversation and how you show up.
Thoughtful preparation, clarity of communication, and asking for the next step with intention create a foundation for progress—regardless of the immediate result. When you invest in the process of the conversation, you strengthen the relationship, even if the outcome isn’t what you hoped (or doesn’t manifest immediately).
2. Prioritize Purpose Over Persuasion
It’s easy to enter dialogue with the aim of convincing someone. But what if the purpose of conversation was not persuasion, but connection?
When you bring values like transparency, care, and openness to the table, the dialogue itself becomes the success. Brevity in your ask, honesty in your intent, and openness to perspectives you hadn’t considered transform conversations into spaces where better decisions naturally follow.
An Invitation
The next time you prepare for a conversation, pause and ask:
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Am I focused only on the result, or am I paying attention to the quality of the dialogue itself?
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Have I prepared for this conversation? Am I showing up in a way that reflects my values and strengthens the relationship?
When conversations are anchored in clarity, transparency, and respect, outcomes often take care of themselves.
Success in leadership conversations isn’t found in control of the result—it’s found in the quality of the exchange.
