Riffing, Selling, Telling

Goal of creating a clearer team dynamic. For execs and respected leaders in particular, who need to be mindful of the power they wield. They can’t read your mind, so everyone defaults to thinking you’re ordering them to do something, even if you’re not.

How to let others know your conversational intent?

Riffing

Casually discussing possibilities. Generally done to help clarify words and dynamics, to develop a common mental model.

Selling

Convinced that you have a path forward, but you’re trying to move forward by getting buy-in from the team.

Telling

You’re giving them an order. This generally comes along with a few other implications.

Accountability needs to be clear. The risks associated with unvalidated assumptions or untested hypotheses. Accepting of any miscommunications.