Collaboration is key in Agile. Collaboration means communicating with one another, which, if you think about it carefully, means talking to another. Most of us are aware that the words we use and the way we say it can impact people negatively or positively, but did you know that all conversations have an underlying structure as well? That there really are only four actions we can take in conversation? And that there are patterns that work and patterns that don't work?

For instance, consider the following juvenile snippet of conversation:

"It is!" "No, it isn't!" "Yes, it is!" "No, it isn't!"

We all know that the adult equivalent of this conversation happens in our interactions, and that it does not go anywhere. It leaves us frustrated and uncomfortable. But why does it not work and how do we intervene without turning up the heat? The answer lies in working with the structure and patterns of conversations, rather than the content.

Whether you are working with teams, leading a transition, a member of a team or simply interested in exploring this simple framework with us, join us and start having better conversations!