Helping Each Other Succeed

What does it matter if I invest time talking with business owners? It's not my business. Why should I care?

What a delight to talk with a young woman yesterday. She was demonstrating her product. "These are my grandmother's recipes" she said with pride. Little did she know I had spoken to another family member three weeks ago. I learned that they used to do all the manufacturing themselves, but their product has made it into several national grocery chains, so they have outsourced manufacturing locally which has created jobs. Again I listened, then asked "are you interested in a government contract"? At first she appeared disinterested. After all she doesn't know me or my motivation for asking this. Then I explained we had participated in the 2013 Governors Roadshow, and that GCAP is currently teaching a series on Federal contraction. I asked two more simple questions: are you certified as a Women Owned Business or as an Emerging Small Business. No, she said, I'm not. "Did you know the prison system is one of the largest purchasers of food?" Again, she said no. I hadn't even thought about it.

What started off as an aloof response, turned to a serious conversation. A five minute conversation may prove life changing for her. She thanked me profusely. And she is not alone. Our goal is to share information, create partnerships, build relationships and help others grow. In turn, we hope they will do the same for others.

The HEART of Conversation

It has been said that we don't interact face to face anymore. Recently this writer walked into a dining situation with people who were unknown to us and shared a table. The conversation was so negative, it was unbearable, so I drew on a skill from college days and began focusing on exceptions. The gentleman on my left was droning on about the evils of technology. Quickly I interjected, our daughter is a novelist. She would be hard pressed to turn out novels quickly without the aid of a computer. For some people such as the disabled, technology has been life changing. Two chairs to the right, a man piped up "that's different". In other words that was a good use of technology. That tiny intervention turned the conversation positive for the rest of the hour.

This technique is useful. Rather than joining a gripe session, or chiming in on what is wrong, try changing the tone. Imagine the outcome if politicians, the faith community, co-workers, neighbors and families began the simple practice. Some might call it heart. Others may refer to it as the art of communication.

Whether the topic is world peace, neighborhood mediation, a healthy work place, safe neighborhood or peace in the family, it is imperative to build on whatever is good.

Here are a few basic principles:
Focus on what is positive
Believe in what is possible
Bring out the best in others
Set boundaries to quash negative behavior
Live by example

The art of communication is technique, theory or savvy. Heart is relational, compassionate, and respectful. Both aspects are necessary. Neither is sufficient in isolation. HEART is both necessary and sufficient.