Unlocking the Power of Conversations

9 Feb

Why the Way You Communicate Changes Everything

Have you ever walked away from a conversation feeling like something was missing? Perhaps you shared your thoughts, but they didn’t land the way you intended. Or maybe you sensed resistance in the other person but couldn’t quite pinpoint why.

The reality is, 90% of conversations fail to fully convey their intended message. This isn’t just a communication issue—it’s a leadership challenge. When conversations miss the mark, trust erodes, collaboration suffers, and progress stalls. But when we intentionally engage with Conversational Intelligence, we can transform every discussion into a catalyst for connection, innovation, and action.

The Invisible Gap Between Intention and Impact

One of the biggest reasons conversations fail is the gap between what we mean and how it’s received. We assume that because we have spoken clearly, the other person understands our meaning exactly as we intended. But that’s rarely the case.

Robert McCloskey captured this perfectly: “I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.” This highlights the critical role of perception, interpretation, and emotional state in every interaction.

In leadership, this gap can be costly. A manager providing feedback may think they’re being supportive, while the employee hears criticism. A leader explaining change may believe they are inspiring action, but their team perceives uncertainty. The solution? Shift from transactional conversations to transformational ones.

*This model illustrates the gap between* ***intention and impact*** *in communication, emphasising how* ***perception*** *acts as a filter that shapes* ***interpretation****. Often, what we intend to communicate does not align with how it is received, leading to misunderstandings. By improving* ***Conversational Intelligence****, we can bridge this gap—ensuring clarity, reducing misinterpretations, and fostering trust in our interactions.*

Shifting from Transactional to Transformational Conversations

A transactional conversation is focused on information exchange—giving instructions, making decisions, or discussing logistics. These are necessary, but when overused, they create environments where people feel unheard, disengaged, and resistant to change.

A transformational conversation, on the other hand, builds connection, trust, and shared meaning. It invites curiosity, fosters understanding, and ensures alignment between what’s said and what’s heard. Leaders who engage in transformational conversations create workplaces where people feel valued, motivated, and ready to contribute at their highest level.

3 Strategies to Elevate Your Conversational Intelligence

Listen to Connect, Not to Correct Most people listen with the intent to respond or fix. Instead, practice deep listening—pay attention not just to words but to tone, emotion, and underlying concerns. Ask follow-up questions that encourage the other person to share more.
Prime for Trust Before You Speak Conversations don’t begin with words; they begin with unspoken cues. Your body language, tone, and even your emotional state set the stage. Before engaging, ask yourself: What intention am I bringing into this conversation? When you start from a place of trust and openness, others are more likely to do the same.
Check for Alignment in Real Time Never assume you’ve been understood—confirm it. Instead of asking, “Does that make sense?” (which often leads to automatic yeses), try “What’s your biggest takeaway from this?” or “How do you see this playing out in your work?” This ensures clarity and engagement.

Bringing This to Life: Join Us for the Conversational Intelligence Training

If you’re ready to shift from conversations that create confusion to those that build clarity, join us for our Introduction to Conversational Intelligence – 1-Day Training on March 20th.

📅 Date: March 20th
📍 Live Online Training
🔹 What You’ll Gain: