Ahead of strategic planning for a new year, we assess last year’s successful or not so fruitful endeavors. We check in with our partners and decide if and how we might move forward. Usually this happens before the year ends. In my case, I’m reviewing partnerships now.
The quickest way to start the conversation is to get a sense of how circumstances have changed over the past year. Life and business conditions change rapidly, positively or negatively. This past week I met up with fellow Visit Denver members and asked, (1) “what has changed since we last met?”.[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][1] I heard about promotions, such as becoming the Operations Manager for Nightly Spirits; changes in ownership including Marriott-Starwood merger; and personal circumstances like “my partner and I have begun the adoption process.”
Asking, “What has changed” since we last saw each other, is also a thoughtful question when socializing with friends or acquaintances.
New circumstances impact individuals differently, dependent upon their role in a company and or the relationship. Each person experiences his/her own “sense of reality”. Therefore, a follow-up question to pose might be, (2) “What’s most important to you during this upcoming year?”. If conversing with a group, make sure that everyone gets to contribute their “reality” to the conversation. Listen and stay open to all answers. Gather the input.
If you have answers for the first and second questions, it will be easy to uncover how to play a pivotal role in achieving common goals. The third important question is: (3) “How might my services support your goals?” Listen well, empathize and, as author, Stephen Covey of Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, suggests, “understand first”.
It’s interesting to hear about changes, new initiatives or challenges that occur in people’s lives. Change is a definite. It’s even more worthwhile when we’re able to play a partnership role. Use conversation to discern and paint what’s true and, in turn, cultivate relationships for mutual benefit. Then, everyone will win!
Year of Conversation 2017: Question #3 What has changed since we last met?
[1] Pg 12, Susan Scott, “Master the Courage to Interrogate Reality”, Chapter One. Fierce Conversation2002 Berkley Books, New York.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
