Changing Conversations to Change the World

Changing the World by Changing the Conversation
RandyWeeks@netcrafters.com

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead

“The universe is made of stories, not atoms”
- Muriel Purkiser

“How much will this cost and how do we find the money?”
“How do we get people on board?”
“How did someone else solve this problem and
how can we import that solution?”

Powerful Questions &
A focus on Depth over Speed

INVITATION
Replaces mandate, policy & alignment
Invitation allows room for refusal without loss;
Makes it clear what is being asked of those who accept.

INVITATION
The invitation conversation begins with the
awareness that transformation occurs through
choice, not mandate.

POSSIBILITY
Replaces problem solving and conversations
about goals, targets, resources and how to
persuade others.

POSSIBILITY
By postponing problem solving, possibility opens
the space for declaration of vision; of both
individual and communal transformation.

POSSIBILITY
One Possibility Conversation begins with:
What is the crossroads at which I find myself with
regard to __________?

OWNERSHIP
Replaces explanation, blame and denial

OWNERSHIP
Is the decision to become the author of our own
experience, to be cause rather than effect.

OWNERSHIP
The ownership conversation may begin with such questions as:
“Why was it important for me to be here today?”
“What is my contribution to the condition about
which I am talking/complaining today?”

DISSENT
Replaces lip service, rebellion & resignation

DISSENT
If my “No” is not welcome, then my “Yes” will
have no meaning.
Early in every gathering, there needs to be room for dissent.

DISSENT
The Dissent Conversation begins with such questions as:
“What doubts and reservations do I have?”
“What is the ‘No’ I’ve been postponing?”
“What is the ‘Yes’ I no longer want to give?”

COMMITMENT
Replaces barter and negotiated engagements
If my commitment to someone depends on his or her
fulfillment of a commitment to me, then it’s not
commitment. It’s a DEAL.

COMMITMENT
Commitment, the antithesis of entitlement and
barter, is to choose a path independent of reward.
It is a choice made in the absence of reciprocity.
This is the essence of power.

COMMITMENT
The Commitment Conversation begins with such questions as:
“What promises am I willing to make?”
“What measures have meaning for me?”
“What is the cost to others for me to keep or fail
in my commitments?”

GIFTS
The conversation of Gifts replaces the common
focus on deficiencies

GIFTS
In a world focused on diagnosis and problem
solving, our awareness of deficiencies is clear.
When we look at deficiencies, we strengthen them.
Most of us have worked on our “deficiencies” all our
lives… How much better are we?

GIFTS
The Gifts Conversation focuses on speaking them into the world:
“This is a gift I received from you today.”
“I see this strength, power, quality in you:”

Two closing thoughts on process…
The structure of how we gather matters
It’s important to replace Advice with Curiosity

More Information
This overview of the 6 Conversations is based on the
work of Peter Block and A Small Group.
To learn more, please connect with A Small Group at:
Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/ASGroup-FB
Twitter: http://twitter.com/asmallgroup
NING: http://asmallgroup.ning.com

Changing Conversations to Change the World

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