Maren and Jamie Showkeir, co-authors of "Authentic Conversations: Moving from Manipulation to Truth and Commitment" last month applied some of their ideas about the power of conversation to establish truth and create change, in an Op-Ed piece in the Chicago Tribune. The piece "Obama to the world: Let’s talk" , the Showkeirs write:
In our work with organizations, we encounter many people who, as Obama said in his acceptance speech, are "cynical and fearful and doubtful" about what can be achieved. We, too, have been accused of naiveté (and worse) because we advocate choosing optimism and commitment even when a disappointing history whispers, "This will never work." And we’ve seen firsthand the transformation that can happen when people engage in authentic conversations. In this regard, the president-elect is doing a lot of things right.
These include (and I bullet-point):
•Obama avoids labels.
•Obama understands that authentic conversations require the courage to raise difficult issues.
•Obama recognizes intention is important. Intention answers the question "What do we want to be in this world?" (My personal favorite…)
•Obama believes in collaboration and partnership.
Check out the column itself for their full exposition.
I admit that I’ve only read the first and last chapters of the Showkeir’s book (shame on me), vowing that I’d read it through and draw out ways that authentic conversations help to create and sustain authentic organizations… That’s still on my to-do list.
But, consider putting "Authentic Conversations: Moving from Manipulation to Truth and Commitment" on your to-do list.
Even better, consider putting their suggestions for authentic conversation into practice.
I am an organizational identity and reputation scholar with a PhD in leadership & organizations. I research, write, teach and consult with organizations about the relationships between organizational identity, actions, and purpose. See the 
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