Effective Conversations
A SINGLE FRAMEWORK
After more than 20 years of reading about Coaching, Difficult Conversations, Effective Communication, Negotiation etc., and delivering numerous related workshops across many countries, using different models, I realized leaders and organizations need a single simple model to understand the principles and build habits and a create a Culture that engages in Effective Conversation. I coined this framework 
Don’t let the SIMPLE fool you. It is an acronym that is easy to remember. Applying the principles and practices are not easy, but the model makes it easier. Also, I’m not proclaiming that I have mastered these principles and practices, as my family and colleagues may share, but as Richard Bach is famously quoted, “You teach best what you most need to learn“.
I have also not developed any new principles or practices. What I have done is pull the varied principles and processes into a single model so that it is easier to build habits to embed them in our daily conversations. Below I provide the outline of the model.
The SIMPLE Process
The process are the steps we take in navigating the conversation or discussion. Typically, it is a road map from start to end of a conversation. Just as a clear road map is required not to lose our way and go in circles, SIMPLE Process helps us to have the conversation in an efficient manner.
One key point to note is that you cannot skip a step to the next. Chances are you may go back to a step, but skipping will not prove efficient and may upset the conversation. I have learned to follow the steps, no matter what the conversation, but naturally some steps make just take a few seconds.
The Principles and Practices
While the Process lays out a clear road map, the Principles and Practices are like the safety rules and good driving habits that prevents a nasty accident while you are on the road. If you ask me, the principles and practices are more important. Would you rather get to your destination late or be there early having had an accident. As we know, we may never reach the destination in some accidents.
The Principles and Processes addresses the personal needs of people and helps you to connect with them. My wife, Alice, likes to quote Colossians 4:6 to me now and then – “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” I’ve attempted to put substance to grace. We need to be mindful of these five principles use them liberally as required.
Leadership is a Conversation
According to an article in HBR by Boris Groysberg and Michael Slind, “Leadership is Conversation“. And in HR Coach, we call it the Coaching Conversation, as Coaching Ignites Thinking, Compels Actions and Delivers Results.
There are many theory out there on Leadership and Conversations. Here in HR Coach, we have developed a single framework that leads to effective conversations and engagement. The key is to also make S.I.M.P.L.E g.r.a.c.e the approach to all conversations in an organization. We need to develop habits through practice and create a culture.
“Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.”
Stephen Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Call Us Now
If you wish to create a Culture where everyone engages in a Coaching Conversation, call us now. HR Coach will work with you to identify the right initiatives and customize workshops to support the transition. Leadership Conversation is for ALL- Culture is the way you think and how things get done in your organization.
is the only model you need to change the Conversations in your organization.