Conversation is the single greatest learning tool in your organization -- more important than computers or sophisticated research.
As a society, we know the art of small talk; we can talk about how the Red Sox are doing or where we went on vacation.
But when we face contentious issues -- when there are feelings about rights, or when two worthwhile principles come in conflict with one another -- we have so many defense mechanisms that impede communications that we are absolutely terrible.
One thing a chairperson can easily do at a conference do make them more engaging and interactive is to allow the participants to have a short conversation with each other after a speaker has finished their talk but before entering the Q&A.
Here is a short video of people doing this at the Ark Groups KC UK Conference in London in June 2007.
It works amazingly well.
Media Information:
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I have compiled over 800 quotations and short excerpts on this website. It is an eclectic mix but most of them are inspirational or insightful in nature and relate to knowledge, learning or personal development in some form.
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Conversation is the single greatest learning tool in your organization -- more important than computers or sophisticated research.
As a society, we know the art of small talk; we can talk about how the Red Sox are doing or where we went on vacation.
But when we face contentious issues -- when there are feelings about rights, or when two worthwhile principles come in conflict with one another -- we have so many defense mechanisms that impede communications that we are absolutely terrible.
William O’Brien , Former CEO of the Hanover Insurance Company
If you are interested in Knowledge Management, the
Knowledge Café
or the role of conversation in organizational life then you my be interested in this online book I am writing on
Conversational Leadership
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