Here is a great post on the art of conversation. Elevating and deepening conversation is an investment; with high returns. 
As I have noted in recent posts, the power of the Character Lens is noteworthy when we are looking for signs and manifestations of character in ourselves and others… at school, work, business, community, family and in life. If character is the soil from which behaviour and actions grow, then being aware of and looking for signs of strengths enables us to draw out and encourage these strengths and their resulting behaviours.
Indeed, we may be talking of things of varying and differing interest, but the examination of the character of a message (it’s meaning) can provide a new sense of connection. It is that realm of engagement; that shared geography of content. We may not have the same stories, but we can find meaning shared.
We might be talking sports or music or world affairs and may, at first, find ourselves having seemingly different views. Yet, we may discover perspectives and motivations that share some sense of agreed character. We might be fans of different teams but for the same perspectives on character. We may love two very different places for the same reasons of character. Certainly, the explored character of our conversations can build some powerful bridges for any kind of team or relationship; when we go deeper.
With this in mind, over the coming weeks and months, we will continue looking at the Character Lens, particularly in terms of building more powerful experiences on campus, in companies and throughout communities. We will explore ideas and examples around both the power of elevated and deepened conversations … and the capacity to focus on character in ourselves and others. We will explore the 5 Strategies of the Virtues Project™ and their potential for doing so. And, we will engage our own body of work in the process.
For now, I simply suggest having conversations this week with the post noted above in mind… with one addition. Put on your Character Lens.
Peace, passion and prosperity.
Barry Lewis Green, aka The Unity Guy™
PS
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