Conversation
Power
Dear
Associate,
I'm
tip-toeing through the kitchen at a morning business meeting
in progress. All of a sudden Laurel, the person responsible
for that week's breakfast spread suggested, "Go help
yourself."
Although
I had breakfast earlier, I could have made room for some more.
But I'm not real keen on mixing food and beverage in a meeting
environment. There's something about that combination that
makes it appear more social than business.
"Thanks,"
I commented. "Did you make any of these?"
"I
baked a few items," she replied.
"What
do you like to bake most," I inquired.
"I
make a screaming lemon meringue pie," she answered. "Do
you bake?"
"Yes...
a little. I can make a lemon pudding cake that's runner-up
to your pie."
And
so on... and so forth...
We
had a nice chitchat. Small talk if you will. Yet most people
don't realize how powerful and stimulating a small verbal
exchange like this can be. Where this can lead. And more importantly
how we perceive, and are perceived from what we do and do
not say.
Don't
you agree?
If
I had initially answered Laurel with, "No thanks,"
that would have been the end of our conversation. I would
have returned to the meeting. The opportunity to elevate and
escalate the verbal exchange would have ceased. We wouldn't
have known we were pastry aficionados.
What
I'm asking you to think about doing is elevating and escalating
your conversations. I want you to rise up out of your comfort
zone to not only hold a conversation, but also carry it. I
know you can. If you can do this consistently, you'll have
the power to attract greater success than you're enjoying
today.
Here's
why mastering conversation power is important to you:
1)
It draws you closer.
In
my case I didn't know Laurel very well. I've made a few comments
to her before, but mainly in passing. After we spoke in the
kitchen, this picture changed. We now see each other in a
new light.
2)
You become a hit... an instant sensation. In other words—your
stock rises.
How
can you tell if a person you barely know begins to know, like
and trust you? Answer: They go to the trouble of finding out
and saying your name. That's how.
Right
after the meeting I bumped into Laurel at a group discussion.
I didn't have my nametag on but it wasn't necessary. She made
it a point to say my name as we departed.
3)
Anticipating the next moment.
If
you watched The Office for the first time and fell in love
with it, you can't wait for the next show. This is the same
with the people you like. You anticipate your next meeting.
I
can't speak for Laurel, but as for myself, I want to take
our next conversation to another level. Not necessarily aiming
higher, but expanding deeper. Going deeper will give me an
idea of where a person lives.
I
believe powerful conversation skills mirror personal success.
And once you get a taste of this success—you wouldn't
want it any other way. Capice?
Warm
regards,
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