Two characteristics of conversations about new or undiscussed ideas among great partners –
(1) Nobody cares about interruptions. Respect is both assumed and ever-present.
(2) Every new idea is an opportunity to build. It may either refute a previous point or build on it – but the keyword is opportunity. Nobody cares about holding back – why would you do that with people you trust? Nobody cares about who suggested the idea either. Again, why would you do that with people you trust? The conversation is often both the means to the end and the end itself. Winning is playing.
Few conversations are truly great – in that you feel the respect, trust, and energy flow. And few people – those great partners – manage to consistently deliver on great conversations.
Cherish them, we must.
