When I think about my favorite conversations, they are with those who listen, attentive and connected to an emerging dialogue. Though I’m willing, I don’t ever feel like I have to explain myself. There is an underlying current of trust that keeps the communication effortless, surprising, and productive.
Kids have such intuitions, and some of us manage to sustain or awaken it as we grow older. In the work setting, it’s something like what David Horth, Author of The Leader’s Edge and senior fellow at Center for Creative Leadership, calls Serious Play.
Dr. Sondoozi, a long time friend and colleague, is an example of someone who engages in serious play. We have been working together to build out her brand and online presence. The way I would describe our conversation is like exploring a web or constellation of ideas, and nothing is fixed. Everything is open to question and ever-changing, making disagreements easy to discuss along with some fascinating moments of true synergy.
Nothing is off limits so our conversation grows quickly and carries itself to new heights and paradigms. It’s a form of organized chaos, our purpose is clear, and there is a shared intent on following what feels natural to us in the moment.
It’s a form of organized chaos, our purpose is clear, and there is a shared intent on following what feels natural to us in the moment.
At one point during a recent meeting, we had branched out pretty broadly, covering many different layers of the project. I found myself closing my eyes, looking toward the ceiling, and asking, “What’s the first step here?” I envisioned the image above, showing a zigzag of staircases lined up at different angles in a room. It’s mind-bending yet somehow it all flows together. It really captured how I was feeling in that moment.
I described the image to her and she said she was vividly seeing the same thing. We looked at each other and laughed hysterically with a sense of trust and connection. The image speaks to the many different levels and processes that shape our everyday perceptions. It’s not always linear, may not even be clear, but it is amazing how things just work out when we trust in the process.
We ended up with a trail of completed tasks, actionable items, and a date for launching her new website. Over the course of 2 hours, we covered a lot of ground without a predefined structure. An unwavering presence and a felt sense of purpose continues to shape our dialogue. The mind can bend itself silly, and we’ll always be listening, trusting inspired action to emerge.