The Reluctant Blogger – Disrupt Your Conversation

Last week, I had a first. I attended the Disrupt HR Arizona event at the Scottsdale Boardwalk. Thank you to the committee members, sponsors, and, in particular, the speakers for a lively and entertaining evening.

Here’s the big idea about DisruptHR if you aren’t familiar. People are selected to present. They pick a topic that is edgy, thought-provoking, or downright unconventional. Those chosen to speak have 5 minutes to present their topic.

The Rules: 15 minutes per slide. Slides are advanced automatically. There is no stopping. GO!

Well…it got me thinking, what if every meeting followed this protocol? You have 5 minutes to state your case, propose your solution, and download your issue. Go.

What if every town hall were only 5 minutes per speaker? [Heaven!]

What if we could always be succinct and to the point? [A little dreamy, I know.]

I wish it were that easy, but then again…what if it was at least a little bit easier? Maybe not with all conversations in your life, however, how about that next conversation with your boss? How would you craft the message if you only had 5 minutes? How about with that prospect or colleague?

As a leadership coach, you typically start with the question, “Mary, what do you want to discuss today?” Early on, the leaders I would coach would ramble and set up the scenario, and eventually get to what they wanted to discuss. I would say, "So I think what you want to discuss is yada yada”, and they would say yes or start over. I then learned to ask, “How would you headline what you want to discuss today?” It helped them get to the heart of what was on their mind.

Sometimes it takes talking out loud, just to get there in your own mind. So, before you have that important conversation, have a longer conversation with yourself or your leadership coach first.

Then, the next time you want to turn the 5-minute Prezo into a 5-minute meeting, try these steps to prepare:

1.        State the Headline – “I’m having difficulty with a co-worker.”

2.        Add what you need out of the conversation – “I need you to listen” or “I need some advice”

3.        State the Problem Statement/Opportunity/Idea – Clearly and succinctly describe the situation.

4.        Ask your questions – “What should I do?” or “Can you help?” or “What am I missing?”

5.        Listen – don’t interrupt.

6.        Ask Follow-up Questions – “Have you tried this before?” or “Anyone else I should talk to?” or “What am I not considering?”

7.        Thank them for their time

If you are a high planner, you may already have your own similar method; if not, then consider blocking 10 minutes to prepare, 10 minutes to rehearse, and then, that’s right, 5 minutes to conversate.

Go ahead and disrupt your next conversation and share your experience.