In this interview on creating a coaching culture, Marcia Reynolds says that the nature and quality of our interactions define the culture. Every conversation that we have within an environment is a mirror of the culture of that environment. Not only it reflects its culture, but it also actively shapes it.
I remember a great quote by Judith Glaser, who defined the concept of Conversational Intelligence.
"To get to the next level of greatness depends on the quality of our culture, which depends on the quality of our relationships, which depends on the quality of our conversations. Everything happens through conversations!"
What about me and my own culture or mindset?
I'm an introvert, and I love introspection. In the last months, I spent more time in self-reflection than in conversations with others. I got caught in the idea that if the answers I seek are within me, I should turn my attention inward. However, that trapped me into a kind of spiral. I was digging the same hole over and over, unable to see beyond my web of stories and beliefs. This week I had the opportunity to have some slow, open and authentic conversations with a few friends.
And all of a sudden, my vision widened up.
If I want to expand my awareness and elevate the quality of my mindset and thinking, I need to take care of the quality of my conversations.
The opening image is a detail of a drawing I made two years ago that visualises my future self. That part was about being part of one infinite conversation. So, I already knew that conversations are a vital part of who I am; I just needed a little reminder.