'Start a conversation about conversations'
The conversations that happen behind closed doors amongst management teams are notoriously difficult to analyse and yet, are one of the most crucial activities that takes place in any organisation. The 'Conversational Norms Diagnostic™' is a unique and proprietary instrument that measures six attributes of typical conversations that a team has to give managers and leaders the data to discuss and act on their conversational habits and so improve effectiveness. The instrument measures six attributes of typical conversations.
3 Core Attributes
- Voicing– how comfortable are people to express opinions and to challenge each other?
- Inquiry – how keen are people to understand the views of others? How skilled are they at listening?
- Productivity – how useful and productive are conversations on the whole?
3 Influencing attributes
- Power – what is the role of power and hierarchy in typical conversations?
- Structure – how tight and focused are typical conversations? How much scope is there for flexibility?
- Attentiveness – how attentive and present are people in conversations?
The instrument has been developed in conjunction with faculty from Ashridge Business School and is based on established theories of dialogue. It has been piloted extensively with existing management teams.
How it works
The process is quick, efficient and cost effective, consisting of 3 simple stages.
- Participants complete an on-line questionnaire (36 questions)
- A summary report of the data is produced and sent to all participants
- A debrief session is run by a licensed facilitator to review the data in more detail, explain the underlying models and to facilitate a conversations about the implications of the findings