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I’m saddened to admit it. I have lots of fake conversations.
Bold Statement. Let me explain.
I define fake conversations like this.
You are not fully yourself. You go through the motions. Asking automatic questions like “How are you?” and responding with “I’m OK, how are you?”. Even though your in a world of pain. You hide your true emotions. You stay quiet rather than objecting. You watch the clock, waiting for the conversation to end.
I’m not alone. Conversations like this can be the norm in many businesses. Everyone plays it safe. Nobody gets upset and it maintains the status quo.
The wake up call: your company grows or stagnates, one conversation at a time.
Fake conversations flatline results.
Contrast this to a Fierce Conversation.
You come out from the shadows. You are fully present, engaging in the conversation. You directly address what is at stake. You engage in radical candor.
Here is an example taken from Fierce Conversations:
"A friend who is a high-level executive, intimidating to many, recently promoted a courageous employee who walked into his office with a large bucket of sand and poured it on the rug. “What the hell are you doing?” demanded my friend. The employee replied, “I just figured I’d make it easier for you to bury your head in the sand on the topic I keep bringing up and you keep avoiding.”
If you are a leader, your job is to enable business outcomes. How will you increase your chances of success? In large part, by making every conversation you have as real as possible.
Now where is that bucket of sand…..
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