There are many books filled with wisdom about communication. Each of us has developed skills to help us navigate the relationships in our work and personal lives. The beauty and strength in the S.H.A.R.E.™ Tools is that they don’t compete with any of this knowledge but instead provide another resource to enhance what we already know. It’s a collaborative knowledge base that can and will assist other areas of expertise to be more effective, productive and vice versa. As Stephen J. Bonser is quoted on the Book’s cover:” Even if your bookshelf is packed with business management and ‘how-to’ leadership classics, you should read and apply the principles of Revolutionary Conversations™. It is a friend, not a competitor.
At its core, the S.H.A.R.E.™ Tools are about collaboration and coming alongside other ideas. Not bound by any particular situations, the Tools add value in all areas of the business world, from complex negotiations and talent management to shop floor meetings and day-to-day interpersonal relationships. In the business world, in particular, the re-engineering arena, we know that the conversational tools in the Book add greatly to any project’s success. Two areas that are most important are: education/training and interacting by being “on the same page.” And in the everyday demands of getting things done, the Tools can accelerate the success of every aspect of project management.
We know from experience that business succeeds when conversations do and this is even more important in situations of dynamic change. Whether the change is planned or the result of a dramatic incident, all the people in and around the change need to understand both the “what” and “why” of what is happening. This empowers them to help in the transition and to understand their current role, as well as where they can fit in the future. Leaving people in the dark can slow down and even stop the change process. And, with communication lines open, people can learn and grow, creating a stronger organization as a result. The Tools help us keep the dialogue open and engages people in the process and their own development within it. More education, more success. And Revolutionary Conversations™ can be the foundation of individual and organizational education which can enhance and accelerate the successful advancement of the change process.
This interaction with all stakeholders can help them be on the same page through any transition. But being on the same page is not static nor lock-step agreement. Being on the same page is not being on a one-dimensional plane with only one way to accomplish something. It’s about being philosophically aligned about core beliefs: we will treat our team members fairly; we are a full disclosure environment; we respect our work so we would never just discount our value; we are always advancing the process together; we are “customer-centric”; etc. In order to be most successful in any changing or interactive situation, it’s first and foremost essential that each team member know what the core philosophical dynamics are and be comfortable in all aspects of conversing together. Getting on the same page also requires staying on the same page. And, Revolutionary Conversations™ is right there to help everyone interact to collaboratively move the process successfully forward.
So, while we are advancing any other technology — a new corporate finance facility, an expanded incentive plan, a customer appreciation program, a new team-building approach, etc. — the “companion” capabilities of the Tools can create a much more comprehensive and successful approach to whatever we desire to achieve.
The most important aspect of the Tools that makes them a true Companion Technology is that every aspect of STOP, HELP, ASK, RISK, and EXPLORE and the S.H.A.R.E.™ Tools overall is an “engaging experience.” Whether working with team members within the organization or interacting with outside individuals, an engaging atmosphere is going to enhance all aspects of a situation, whether meeting a challenge or uncovering a new opportunity. An engaged individual or a group of engaged individuals are people who are fully absorbed, enthusiastic, present and actively advancing the process.
- STOP: the activity of stopping yourself and/or stopping others puts you and others in play together.
- HELP: being willing to acknowledge that you could use some help aids in building commitment and a better understanding for everyone as it creates a safe environment.
- ASK: the activity of asking to clarify automatically puts you in the collaborative mode and allows others to better understand as well—to collaborate you need to be engaged.
- RISK: contributing new ideas, thoughts or information that is important to the conversation comes from being fully engaged—being part of the solution and not just the problem.
- EXPLORE: by the time you get to EXPLORE you are clearly so engaged that backing out seems almost unthinkable—you and your colleagues are going to turn any and all possibilities into realities.
In each step, the Tools help us to become more and more present—being there, engaged, not thinking about next Sunday’s football game or the next cool outfit. The more the Tools become a part of you, the more present, the more engaged and the more effective you will be and those around you will be as well. Engagement can be a bit addictive.
So, a Companion Technology sounds impressive but what does it really mean. It means that the S.H.A.R.E.™ Tools are there working in the background to help you accomplish what needs to be done. For our corporate re-engineering projects or any project that requires that others collaboratively participate, we have found that project time can be cut in half and the success rate seems to double or more. It is hard to evaluate because there is no benchmark to compare. But, when people see time deadlines met on time or even ahead of time and new more productive ideas and possibilities turn into successful realities, it’s clear that together is the way to go. The S.H.A.R.E.™ Tools engage us and we engage others and together we seem to do the right things, the right way and for the right reasons.
Please give them a try.