Conversation Across Your Networks, Part 6. A series focused on conversation within The Networks of Relationships Series.
A day of conversation with my friends, John and Marcos, in Mödling, Austria, 2017.
The Series:
Conversation in the Work Place - Part One
Conversations With Our Connections - Part Two
Recovering Our Humanity through Writing and Conversation
Resources for Recovering Our Humanity through Writing and Conversation
Starting Conversations
Initiating New Relationships Through Conversation
The Eddy Network Podcast
The podcast has been a place for me to accomplish two aims.
Demonstrate how to create a Network of Relationships.
Demonstrate how people who have never talked with one another before can have a dynamic and interesting conversation.
Why does this matter?
Our success in work and life is going to increasingly be dependent upon how well we interact with people. This means that we have to be willing and skilled at initiating conversations that can lead to relationships of collaboration and community building.
When my son Troop was asked about what his father did, he responded, “Dad talks people into having problems and offers to fix them.” While humorous, it is true. Through conversation, I learned how to help people acknowledge their need for assistance. It is why the key question for us in establishing new relationships is through a networking process is “Who do you know that you think I should know, and would you introduce me?” Almost all my work as a consultant came through this process of initiating conversations. It is how most of the guests on The Eddy Network Podcast were found.
My Offer
I have almost completed the scheduling and recording of the remaining episodes of The Eddy Network Podcast for 2023. I have less than ten episodes to schedule and record for 2023. I will hold open two episodes for the first two people who reach out to me to initiate a conversation. These two episodes will be the last two of the year. The stipulations for this offer are …
You lead the conversation that will become the episode.
You introduce me to two people that you believe I should know who I can interview for next year’s series of podcasts.
You cannot sign up through the comments. You must approach me like you would anyone that you want to establish a relationship for conversation.
Last Word
When you read through the five posts of this series. You’ll see that there are three things to learn.
How to start a conversation.
How to write to better articulate your thoughts and feelings.
How to read to better interact with people.
Do this with people that you know. Try it out with your children. Create a conversation center in your home. Send them this post. Don’t dictate. Just offer.
Do this with people in your social and work circles. Let your conversations go deeper and more relevant to what you each are facing.
Do this, and you’ll find that your mindset will change. You will grow in openness and curiosity. Practice these patterns of behavior, and your opportunities for impact will grow. And, when that moment comes when you realize that your life is in transition, you will be prepared to make the transition with agility and positive effect.
Don’t hesitate. Respond to the offer. Time is short.