Elevarse Performance Consulting

To get on the same page as our colleagues, we need to develop our ability to make our thinking more visible to the person we’re speaking with. We also need to look for opportunities to learn more about their assumptions.

Here’s how to get started.

• Focus on the “how” instead of the “what.” During conversations, we tend to focus on the “what” (or the topic being discussed). But to have more effective conversations about any topic, we need to focus on the “how” (the way we’re engaging together, the kinds of language being used, and whose voice holds more power in the interaction).
• If you notice a conversation moving towards a miscommunication, create a “pause” by making a neutral observation aloud. Start by stating something that you see (“I’m noticing”) and then share your observation. This is the first step towards getting on the same page.
• Follow up with an invitation. This can come in the form of a question, like, “How are you experiencing our dynamic?” The goal is to encourage others to voice what’s happening for them. This practice can help you avoid the kinds of misunderstandings that come from assuming you’re aligned with someone else.