Transformational Conversation

There is conversation, conversation, and conversation.

Recently, I observed a conversation between Youthful Exuberance and Experiential Wisdom.

To what can I liken the conversation?

It was like a tug-o-war game, both sides throwing their mental muscles to pull the other side over. 

It was like a seesaw. When each side spoke the weight of their argument lifted uncontrollably the other side. 

Yet, each side has valid points. 

Youthful Exuberance is . . .

. . . visionary.

. . . enthusiastic reformer.

. . . excellent analytical skills.

. . . technologically savvy. 

. . . rapid river flowing ideas.

. . . fasting moving risk taker.

Experiential Wisdom is. . .

. . . historically knowledgeable.

. . . cautiously optimistic.

. . . perceptive.

. . . technologically challenged.

. . .water pond like ideas.

. . .calculating risk taker.

At the end of the conversation, there are no winners. Both sides depart without winning. Losing the value of each other’s worth.

To what can I liken the way forward for both?

While writing this reflection, I saw two barble doves intimately perched side by side on a fence. Both taking terms using their beaks to clean each other’s feathers.

This action of these two birds reminds me of a term called “Transformational Conversation”.  Each side engages in conversation to learn what they do not know.  The field of communication generally agrees to these six steps to transformational conversation:

• Listen to persons’ passion and ideas. Ask them to tell their story. …
• Repeat the ideas back to them.
• Affirm their hopes and dreams.
• Ask the question, “What’s the next step?
• Establish a date for follow up.
• Ask, “How can I help to achieve your dreams?” .

If Youthful Exuberance and Experiential Wisdom engage in transformational conversation,  the results would be productively and creatively volcanic.