Today I’ll attempt to keep my post short and sweet. Not because I don’t have a lot to say, but because I want you to spend more time thinking about it than reading about it.

The topic?  Your conversations.  (Yes, I know I wrote about this topic back in August, but this post offers yet another twist.)

While attending an NSA Austin event this past week a woman at my table, someone relatively new to the group, commented that she really liked our meetings because she aways experienced “powerful conversations.” Wow.  As a founding board member of the group, I was delighed by her observation. But I wanted to know more, so I asked her what she meant.

“You know,” she said, “we have conversations here that aren’t…ordinary.”  She had a hard time describing what she meant, but everyone at the table got it.  We’d experienced it too.

This made me think: What exactly is the difference between an ordinary conversation and a powerful one?

Here’s my feeble attempt at describing the difference: Powerful conversations are energizing and inspiring. They broaden me. They intrigue me. They are witty, fresh, and fun.  They challenge my thinking and offer ideas on how I can do what I do better or differently.  They are sometimes controversial. Maybe even a bit uncomfortable. They are memorable and life-changing.

What are your thoughts? What to you constitutes a powerful conversation versus an ordinary one?

And a little assignment: For the next few days, be an observer of your conversations with others. The topics you discuss. The words you use. The exchanges you have. The reactions you get. Let me know what happens.  I think there’s a lot to say about this.
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Exciting news! If you’re in the Austin / Central Texas area, you have several of options in the coming months to hear me speak about becoming a more Intentional Networker(tm). Here’s the link to my upcoming appearances to date. Among them The Texas Conference for Women on October 24th in Austin.  Talk about an exciting line up of speakers there!  Gretchin Rubin (The Happiness Project), Dr. Brene Brown (check out her very popular Ted Talk here), Cathie Black (the First Lady of the magazine publishing industry),  and many more. I am beyond honored to be among these brilliant women! Register today. It will be a place where some very powerful conversations take place!