I have a monthly call with a colleague and a monthly lunch with other colleagues that are like Seinfeld episodes — “about nothing.” At least it starts that way, but it always turns into a conversation that leaves me thinking. These conversational approaches yield ideas that reading or writing do not, as one idea forms a stepping stone for other thoughts and soon we’re on to a topic that neither of us considered before we got together.
Two-way real conversations are undervalued today. We rely on email or text for communication exchanges but processing our experiences verbally creates a whole different level of creativity and understanding. I worry about our young people who don’t like to talk on the telephone and have less experience talking face-to-face. Something is lost without that real-time banter and the rabbit holes it can lead to.
The next time you need to think things through or gain a new perspective on your experiences have a conversation with someone. The space between talking and listening may generate unexpected insights for you.
