Chapter: Conversational Leadership Skills


Coffee conversation

Whether in conversation we generally agree or disagree with others is largely a matter of habit: the one tendency makes as much sense as the other.

Credit: Friedrich Nietzsche


To practice Conversational Leadership, it is essential to understand the difference between Conversational Leadership mindset, skills, habits, and methods.

A Conversational Leadership mindset is our mental attitudes, approaches, or ways of thinking about practicing Conversational Leadership. Our beliefs, values, and experiences shape it, impacting our ability to hold productive conversations and practice effective leadership.

Conversational Leadership skills involve facilitating open and constructive conversations, actively listening, building trust, and empowering others to collaborate towards shared goals.

Conversational Leadership habits are how we use those abilities daily, such as avoiding judgment, showing empathy, and being present in a conversation. We develop these habits and tendencies over time through repeated actions and experiences.

Conversational Leadership methods are structured conversational processes that bring a group of people together to discuss a topic or an issue.

Developing our Conversational Leadership mindset, skills, habits, and methods improves our ability to lead and communicate effectively.


In this chapter, I look at some of the skills we need to practice Conversational Leadership effectively, why they are important, and how to develop them.


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Introduction: Conversational Leadership Skills The technical abilities we use during a conversation

Impossible Conversations Oracy Is a Core Conversational Leadership Skill Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Conversational Leadership Skills Posts that link to this post The Four Levels of Knowledge Management The relation between Conversational Leadership and Knowledge Management Introduction: Practicing Conversational Leadership Anyone can practice conversational leadershipPOST NAVIGATION Impossible Conversations Oracy Is a Core Conversational Leadership … Continue reading Introduction: Conversational Leadership Skills The technical abilities we use during a conversation

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Oracy Is a Core Conversational Leadership Skill Communicating effectively in spoken language

Introduction: Conversational Leadership Skills Conversational Self-awareness Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Without oracy skills, we would struggle to communicate our ideas and opinions, leading to challenges in personal and professional settings. This can include difficulty building relationships, advocating for ourselves, and contributing to group discussions. What is oracy? Simply put, oracy is the … Continue reading Oracy Is a Core Conversational Leadership Skill Communicating effectively in spoken language

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Conversational Self-awareness Being aware of our own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors during a conversation

Oracy Is a Core Conversational Leadership Skill Conversation Through the Lens of the Johari Window Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Not being self-aware can lead to difficulty in personal growth and development, poor decision-making, and challenges in understanding and managing our emotions and behavior. It is a critical Conversational Leadership skill. What is … Continue reading Conversational Self-awareness Being aware of our own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors during a conversation

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Conversation Through the Lens of the Johari Window Understanding ourselves and others through conversation

Conversational Self-awareness Conversational Awareness Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Effective communication is essential for building strong relationships and developing self-awareness. When communication breaks down or misunderstandings occur, it can strain personal connections. The Johari Window model offers a valuable framework to enhance communication and foster mutual understanding. INTRODUCTION The Johari Window is a psychological … Continue reading Conversation Through the Lens of the Johari Window Understanding ourselves and others through conversation

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Conversational Awareness The skill of being able to pay attention to various elements of a conversation

Conversation Through the Lens of the Johari Window Empathy Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Conversations are essential to our lives; however, we often lack awareness during interactions, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts. Developing conversational awareness through active listening, open-mindedness, and self-reflection can enhance communication skills and build stronger relationships. What is awareness? Awareness … Continue reading Conversational Awareness The skill of being able to pay attention to various elements of a conversation

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Empathy Understanding and share the feelings of others

Conversational Awareness Cultural Competence ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter A lack of empathy can lead to difficulties building relationships, communication problems, reduced collaboration, and increased conflict and aggression. It also makes it challenging to understand and relate to the emotions, feelings, and perspectives of others. Empathy is an essential Conversational Leadership skill. … Continue reading Empathy Understanding and share the feelings of others

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Critical Thinking ** Analyzing information and arguments to make sound judgments and decisions

Open Mindedness ** Active Listening ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Critical thinking objectively analyzes, evaluates, and synthesizes information to form a reasoned judgment or decision. It involves using logic and reasoning to examine assumptions, arguments, evidence, and alternative perspectives to arrive at well-informed and justified conclusions. If you can think, and speak, … Continue reading Critical Thinking ** Analyzing information and arguments to make sound judgments and decisions

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The Art of Navigating Conversations Choosing our repsonses carefully

Active Listening ** Conversational Continuous Self-improvement ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter The success of a conversation largely depends on how we choose to respond during our turn to speak. Our responses can either facilitate a productive, high-quality discussion or derail it entirely. It is, therefore, essential to carefully consider our words, tone, … Continue reading The Art of Navigating Conversations Choosing our repsonses carefully

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Conversational Continuous Self-improvement ** Making ongoing incremental improvements to our conversations

The Art of Navigating Conversations Difficult Conversations Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What is conversational continuous self-improvement? We can improve our conversational abilities through the process of conversational continuous self-improvement.  Our goal is to become more effective and confident in our ability to communicate with others. How can we continuously improve our conversational … Continue reading Conversational Continuous Self-improvement ** Making ongoing incremental improvements to our conversations

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Difficult Conversations Navigating emotionally challenging conversations

Conversational Continuous Self-improvement ** Impossible Conversations Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter A difficult conversation is unpleasant, one where we feel discomfort and awkwardness, such as asking our boss for a pay rise or confronting a neighbor. So how do we handle difficult conversations? Examples of difficult conversations include: Discussing a difficult diagnosis. Breaking … Continue reading Difficult Conversations Navigating emotionally challenging conversations

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Impossible Conversations Navigating conversations across ideological divides

Difficult Conversations Introduction: Conversational Leadership Skills Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter An impossible conversation may feel futile as it occurs between individuals who possess radically different ideas, beliefs, morals, politics, or worldviews. Such conversations are likely to lead to arguments and even physical altercations. So, how can we engage in impossible conversations? To … Continue reading Impossible Conversations Navigating conversations across ideological divides