7 REASONS
Why Most Conversations
Are A Waste of Time
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B4 We
START
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What
constitutes a
conversation?
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Definition:
A conversation is communication by
two or more people.
Conversations are the ideal form of
communication since they allow
people with different views to learn
from each other.
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CONVERSATIONS
Have
2 Main Components
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A: Communication
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A: Communication
(An exchange between people)
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B: New Patterns
Of thinking & acting
post-communication
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Q: Is that what actually
happens?
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Q: Is that what actually
happens?
Let’s take a look…
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Reason # 1
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Most people are too busy to stop and listen.
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Reason # 2
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Those who stop
to listen are
bombarded with
messages.
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Reason # 3
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It’s difficult to know which messages to focus on.
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Reason # 4
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Most of these
messages
don’t solve,
problems, they
disguise or
worsen them.
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Reason # 5
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Most people prefer to be given the answer, than
to have a long conversation that allows them to
discover the answer.
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Most people prefer to be given the answer, than
to have a long conversation that allows them to
discover the answer.
step one – do this
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Most people prefer to be given the answer, than
to have a long conversation that allows them to
discover the answer.
step one – do this
step two – do that
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Most people prefer to be given the answer, than
to have a long conversation that allows them to
discover the answer.
step one – do this
step two – do that
step three – go here
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Most people prefer to be given the answer, than
to have a long conversation that allows them to
discover the answer.
step one – do this
step two – do that
step three – go here
step four – say this
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Most people prefer to be given the answer, than
to have a long conversation that allows them to
discover the answer.
step one – do this
step two – do that
step three – go here
step four – say this
step five - you never have to work again
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Reason # 6
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Most people aren’t listening to
you, they’re more concerned
about what they’re going to say
next.
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Most people aren’t listening to
you, they’re more concerned
about what they’re going to say
next.
Is that how a
CONVERSATION works?
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Reason # 7
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Thinking and acting in new and improved
ways implies CHANGE, and most people
don’t want to do either.
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Why have a conversation about
these things?
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Because if we don’t, how…
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Will we solve bigger problems?
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What if we looked at these
reasons in terms of…
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The Stock Market
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Gas
Prices
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Global Warming
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These issues might be obvious,
but how many REAL
conversations are going on
about them?
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Recap
1. Most people are too busy to stop and listen.
2. Those who stop are often bombarded with too many
messages.
3. It’s difficult to know which message to focus on.
4. Most of these messages don’t solve problems, they disguise
or worsen them.
5. Most people prefer to be given the answer than to discover
the answer.
6. Most people aren’t listening to you, they’re too worried
about what they’re going to say next.
7. Thinking and acting in new and improved ways implies
change, and most people don’t want to do either.
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If you don’t comment,
will this presentation
have constituted a
conversation?
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We’re not this cynical, we’re
just trying to start a
conversation and stretch
peoples’ thinking in the
process…

Intelligent Momentum
Simplifying Business Growth For A Complex World
Shayne Mauricette
shayne@IntelligentMomentum.com