“When we look at it from the perspective of conversations, identity consists of the assessments that we have about ourselves.” -Kari Granger

Welcome to Leadership Impact, the podcast for modern executives who are reinventing leadership within their organizations. Hosted by executive leadership coach and CEO of The Granger Network, Kari Granger, and Sound Financial Group CEO, Paul Adams, this podcast aims to address the topics of performance and leadership through real life examples. This is third episode in our four-part series on momentum.

In this episode, Kari and Paul analyze the topic of shifting conversations in order to intervene in performance, possibilities and accomplishments. Competing perspectives have always existed and will continue to exist in society. Both Paul and Kari share instances that embody this phenomenon. First, Paul cites the current polarizing political landscape as a source of conflict where shifting conversations is necessary in order to find common ground. Kari echoes this sentiment by discussing the conflict in Northern Ireland between Protestants and Catholics. In both cases, there is a fundamental common belief that each side fails to realize. To shift our conversations, we must shift from identifying with our position to focusing on the fundamental care underneath the position. Kari and Paul argue that, by shifting conversations, we can learn from different points of view that enhance our own solutions. Finally, Kari and Paul drive home the idea that, through our conversations, we create realities and experiences both for ourselves and for those around us. By becoming aware that our conversations creates our reality and move us, we can harness an enormous power for ourselves as leaders.

What We Covered:

00:29 – Introducing today’s topic: How to Shift Your Conversations

01:23 – Paul uses the example of polarizing modern politics to stress the importance of shifting conversations in order to create solutions

04:04 – Kari dissects Paul’s example by first addressing the concept of identity

06:28 – Paul shares a metaphor he learned from a former mentor

07:58 – Kari utilizes the example of conflict in Northern Ireland to provide context on positions and solutions

10:42 – Identifying with your function in an organization

15:05 – The role language plays in creating reality

18:01 – Paul challenges the audience to observe how they create reality in everyday conversations

19:01 – Paul expands on Kari’s observation that through conversations, we are creating multiple realities both for ourselves and the people we converse with

Tweetables:

• “When we look at it from the perspective of conversations, identity consists of the assessments that we have about ourselves.” 

• “Anytime you bring somebody an opposing view from what they’re currently doing or thinking about, you’re threatening their survival.” 

• “When we can orient ourselves to that ultimate outcome, we start to see other functions as collaborators rather than competitors for dollars and resources and time.” 

• “Language is not merely an exchange of information. It actually creates reality.” 

• “Conversations open up or close down opportunities for us.” 

Links Mentioned:

Kari’s Website

Paul’s Website

Acknowledgements:
Our work is mosaic art. We read, study, and practice many philosophies, methodologies, and modalities of human performance, to ensure that our approach best serves our clients. We would like to acknowledge all of the thought leaders and organizations, whose ground-breaking work has influenced the Granger Network approach – especially Fernando Flores, Jim Selman, Michael C. Jensen, Julio Olalla, Pluralistic Networks, The Newfield Network, and the Strozzi Institute.

Podcast production and marketing provided by FullCast.

More Leadership Impact episodes: https://grangernetwork.com/category/podcast