Which is the winner in a comparison of foreground vs. background conversations? On today’s episode, Bix and Joe Bickson join us for another conversation tackling a tenet of future hacking. They talk about how the power dynamics in the company not only affect performance but also derail communication lines.

“The first practice we're asking executive teams to have is to say the background conversations in the meeting.” - Joe Bickson

Three Things We Learned

Power dynamics still prevail in organizations

People are often trained to think that the more senior members of organizations have more authority and power. This prevents the kind of uninhibited conversations to create new opportunities for growth from happening. These old constructs, relics of the system birthed from the industrial revolution still lingers even at present day.

Why power dynamics deter growth

Because of this authoritarian system adopted from eons past, people in power oftentimes end up drinking their own bathwater. Their subordinates tell them how great and inspiring they are. Positive feedback is feedback that gets bent out of shape and it’s in no way of use to future hacking.

Background conversations matter

Most executive meetings feel suppressed. People are concerned about not only the subject matter to be discussed, but also the manner by which they discuss items in an attempt to maintain professionalism. But as soon as people leave these meetings, background conversations happen, and these are the type that should actually be encouraged in organizational circles.

When people talk about wanting to hack the future, they want to achieve something meaningful to step up in their life and business. But the delta between where they are and where they want to be, as well as with who they are and who they want to be sometimes gets in the way. To traverse this delta, people in chairs must come to love the gap and address the difficulty of power dynamics in organizations.

Bio:

Bix and Joe Bickson are a team of a baby boomer and millennial working together to create new organizational DNA.

Links:

http://bickson2.com/

We hope you enjoyed Foreground vs. Background Conversations - Bix and Joe Bickson on this episode of Legends and Losers! Christopher loves hearing from his listeners. Feel free to email him, connect on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and subscribe on iTunes!