Thought for the Week – Navigating the Minefield

Communication-alignmentWhat’s the one high-stakes conversation you’re currently avoiding (or wish you’d handled differently), and what’s the real cost of that silence?

Thought for the Week: Navigating the Minefield – Strategies for Crucial Conversations That Get Results.

The Unspoken Cost of Avoidance: Mastering Crucial Conversations

Last week, we explored how ingrained narratives can subtly trap us, shaping our perceptions and limiting our potential. This week let’s turn our attention to another powerful force that dictates outcomes in our professional lives: the crucial conversation.

These aren’t just any discussions. Crucial conversations are those where the stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strongly.

They are the moments that can define careers, shift team dynamics, make or break deals, and either build or erode trust.

Interestingly, too often, we avoid them, mishandle them, or approach them without a strategic framework, leading to missed opportunities, festering resentments, and suboptimal results.

The cost of avoidance or poor execution is immense: projects stall, innovation is stifled, relationships fray, and leaders lose influence.

What if you could transform these high-pressure dialogues into opportunities for clarity, collaboration, and breakthrough?

Defining the Crucial Conversation

A conversation becomes crucial when:

  • Stakes are high: The outcome significantly impacts you or others.
  • Opinions differ: People hold opposing views.
  • Emotions are strong: Feelings are intense and can easily derail dialogue.

Think about giving critical feedback, negotiating a complex deal, addressing a colleague’s underperformance, or discussing a sensitive strategic shift. These are the conversations that demand a different approach.

The Pillars of Effective Crucial Conversations

Mastering these moments isn’t about being aggressive or manipulative; it’s about combining courage with emotional intelligence. Here are some foundational strategies:

Start with Clarity: Know Your Purpose and Desired Outcome
  • Before you open your mouth, define precisely what you want to achieve from the conversation, for yourself, for the other person, and for the relationship. This clarity prevents you from getting sidetracked or reacting emotionally.
  • Pro Tip: Write down your ideal outcome and the minimum acceptable outcome. This provides a mental anchor.
Create Psychological Safety: Establish Mutual Purpose and Mutual Respect
  • People shut down when they feel unsafe. Your primary goal is to make the other person feel heard and respected, even if you disagree.
  • Mutual Purpose: Frame the conversation around a shared objective. “We both want [positive outcome], and I believe discussing [issue] will help us get there.”
  • Mutual Respect: Convey genuine regard for the other person’s worth and abilities, even if you disapprove of their actions. Avoid accusatory language.
State Your Intention: Combine Confidence with Humility
  • Share your facts: Start with objective data or observations, not interpretations or judgments.
  • Tell your story: Explain your conclusions and feelings, but present them as your perspective, not universal truth. “I’ve noticed X, and I’m starting to wonder if Y is happening, which leads me to feel Z.”
  • Invite dialogue: Explicitly ask for the other person’s perspective. “What are your thoughts on this?” or “Am I missing something?”
Explore Others’ Paths: Listen to Understand, Not Just to Reply
  • Active Listening: Pay full attention, ask clarifying questions, and paraphrase what you hear to ensure understanding.
  • Empathy: Try to see the situation from their point of view. What might be their motivations, fears, or concerns?
  • Acknowledge and Validate: You don’t have to agree, yet you must acknowledge their feelings and perspective, e.g., “I can see why you’d feel frustrated by that.”
Move to Action: Make Decisions and Assign Accountability

A crucial conversation is incomplete without clear next steps.

  • Define who does what by when: Be specific about responsibilities and deadlines.
  • Document: Briefly summarise decisions and commitments to avoid future misunderstandings.
  • Follow-up: Ensure actions are taken and progress is reviewed.

The ROI of Courageous Communication

Mastering crucial conversations isn’t just about resolving immediate issues; it’s about building a culture of transparency, accountability, and psychological safety. It strengthens relationships, fosters innovation, and elevates your influence as a leader, entrepreneur, or professional. It’s the skill that transforms potential conflict into productive collaboration, driving better results for everyone involved.

This week, identify one crucial conversation that you’ve been avoiding or are preparing for. Apply these strategies. The outcome might surprise you.

 

“Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”

– Stephen Covey –

 

Wishing you a week of clear, impactful conversations!

With warmest wishes,

korinne-sig

Korinne Le Page
Thrive Coaching & Training – Empowering You to Thrive!

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Thought for the Week: Deconstructing Common Narrative Traps

old-stories-holding-you-backDeconstructing Common Narrative Traps – Are Old Stories Holding You Back? Let’s Rewrite Them.

In last week’s Thought for the Week, we explored the profound impact of what we say and how we say it. If you missed it, you can catch up here

Today, we’re going to take that concept a step further and shine a light on some of the deeply ingrained narratives that subtly (or not-so-subtly) shape our world. These are the stories we’ve heard so often they feel like undeniable truths, yet often, they are traps that limit our potential for connection, growth, and genuine regeneration.

Let’s deconstruct two prevalent examples and then explore how we can reframe them with a regenerative lens.

Narrative Trap 1: “Pull Yourself Up by Your Bootstraps”

This phrase, while often associated with American individualism, expresses a sentiment of self-reliance that we certainly recognise here in Great Britain and Guernsey. It suggests that anyone can succeed if they just work hard enough, without any external help. On the surface, it champions grit and personal endeavour.

Yet, when you really think about it, this message often brushes aside big issues like unfair systems, unequal chances, and our very human need for support and community. Whilst that was the original joke, we know that we can’t actually ‘pull ourselves up by our bootstraps’! It highlights just how unrealistic it is to expect people to succeed entirely on their own, without any leg-up or help along the way.

How the Language Perpetuates the Trap:
  • Implies Sole Responsibility: The phrase places the entire burden of success or failure squarely on the individual. If you haven’t “pulled yourself up,” it implies a lack of effort or will, rather than acknowledging external challenges that might be at play.
  • Ignores Systemic Context: It completely overlooks the societal structures, privileges, or disadvantages that significantly impact an individual’s starting point and journey.
  • Fosters Isolation: It subtly discourages asking for or offering help, framing reliance on others as a weakness rather than a strength.
Regenerative Reframing: From Isolation to Interdependence

Instead of a solitary struggle, a regenerative perspective acknowledges that true flourishing often arises from connection and mutual support.

  • Alternative Framing: “Building bridges, lifting each other up” or “Standing on our own two feet, together.“
  • The Regenerative Message: This reframing emphasises collaboration, community, and the idea that collective effort creates stronger, more resilient outcomes. It recognises that while individual effort is vital, it thrives within a supportive ecosystem. It’s about recognising available resources and support systems, and leveraging them to achieve goals, rather than pretending they don’t exist or aren’t needed.
Narrative Trap #2: “Nice Guys Finish Last“

This narrative is undeniably familiar in Great Britain too, often cropping up in discussions about dating, career progression, or competitive environments. It suggests that kindness, integrity, and empathy are hindrances to success. It implies that to “win,” one must be ruthless, self-serving, or even manipulative.

How the Language Perpetuates the Trap:

  • Creates a False Dichotomy: It pits “niceness” against “success,” suggesting they are mutually exclusive. This can force individuals to choose between their values and their ambitions.
  • Glorifies Aggression / Selfishness: By implying that “last place” is the fate of the kind, it inadvertently promotes more aggressive or less ethical behaviours as the path to victory.
  • Misinterprets “Nice”: Often, the “nice guy” who “finishes last” is actually someone who is overly passive, lacks boundaries, or struggles with genuine confidence, rather than someone who is genuinely kind and assertive. True kindness, coupled with strength and clear communication, is a powerful asset.
Regenerative Reframing: From Scarcity to Sustainable Success

A regenerative approach understands that sustainable success is built on trust, strong relationships, and ethical practices.

  • Alternative Framing: “Integrity Leads to Lasting Impact” or “Purposeful Kindness Paves the Way.”
  • The Regenerative Message: This perspective highlights that while short-term gains might sometimes be achieved through less ethical means, true and enduring success – the kind that builds a legacy and fosters genuine well-being – is rooted in integrity, empathy, and strong relationships. It’s about recognising that being a “good person” can lead to the “real prize” in life, such as fulfilling relationships and a sense of purpose.
The Path Forward: Conscious Communication

Deconstructing these narrative traps is the first step. The next is to consciously choose and cultivate regenerative language in our daily lives. This means:

  • Questioning Assumptions: When you hear a common saying, pause and consider its underlying message. Does it truly serve a connected, thriving world?
  • Emphasising Interdependence: Look for opportunities to highlight collaboration, community, and mutual support.
  • Celebrating Ethical Strength: Champion stories where integrity and kindness lead to meaningful, sustainable success.

By actively engaging in regenerative communication, we not only reshape our own understanding but also contribute to a broader cultural shift towards more life-affirming and empowering narratives. This is how we prepare the soil, choose seeds that help each other grow, and ensure our shared garden becomes healthier and more vibrant over time.

 

“Begin challenging your assumptions. Your assumptions are the windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won’t come in.”

– Alan Alda –

[A six-time Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award winner and a three-time Tony Award nominee, he portrayed Captain Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce in the CBS wartime sitcom M*A*S*H.]

 

Have a great week full of new bright and meaningful connections!

With warmest wishes,

korinne-sig

Korinne Le Page
Thrive Coaching & Training – Empowering You to Thrive!

Not yet subscribed to Thrive? Join here to receive weekly reflections and prompts: Subscribe to Thrive

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Thought for the Week – The Power of What We Say – and How We Say It

not-what-we-say-how-we-say-itWe’ve all heard it: “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.”

In last week’s Thought for the Week, we explored why trust enables transformation. If you missed it, you can catch up here

Just as seeds have the potential to grow into something much bigger than they first appear, what we say and how we say it can carry hidden power. In contrast, a single phrase – encouraging or careless – can take root in someone’s heart and shape the way they grow. [Image by Abubaker Ahsan].

Additionally, just as a gardener chooses whether to plant flowers, fruit, or thorns, we choose daily what kind of seeds we scatter into the lives of others, and even into our own minds. Whether or not we’ve ever planted a garden, we all know what it feels like when something spoken brings life – or when it wounds.

An Invitation to Pause…

This week, let’s pause and reflect: what kind of seeds are we sowing through the way we speak?

We often hear that words matter in face-to-face conversations, and they do. Yet research shows that words themselves account for just 7% of how our message lands. The rest?

It’s all about the music of our voice and the story that our body is telling.

So, while words may be the seeds, tone is the sunlight, and body language the soil in which they grow. Together, they determine whether those seeds flourish or wither.

An encouraging phrase, spoken with warmth, plants resilience.

The same phrase, spoken flatly or with crossed arms, may plant doubt instead.

Additionally, a powerful idea, spoken with the wrong tone or closed-off posture, rarely takes root. While even a simple phrase – delivered warmly, with open body language – can grow into trust, courage, and collaboration.

This week, notice not just what you’re saying, also:

  • Is your tone lifting or limiting?
  • Does your body language invite or shut down?
  • Are your words landing in soil ready for growth?

We know that transformation begins with trust. Regeneration happens when every part of us – words, tone, and presence – works together to plant seeds of possibility.

You will know that I use a sunflower as a symbol for growth and transformation – it’s in my logo and on my web site. Like a sunflower turning toward the light, our communication can help others lift, thrive, and grow tall when it carries warmth and encouragement.

 

“Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning.”

– Maya Angelou –

 

Have a great week full of new bright and meaningful connections!

With warmest wishes,

korinne-sig

Korinne Le Page
Thrive Coaching & Training – Empowering You to Thrive!

Not yet subscribed to Thrive? Join here to receive weekly reflections and prompts: Subscribe to Thrive

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Thought for the Week – From Trust to Transformation

from-trust-to-transformationThought for the Week – From Trust to Transformation: Is trust the soil where transformation takes root?”

In last week’s Thought for the Week, we explored how clarity builds confidence in “From Focus to Trust”. If you missed it, you can catch up here. In the last part of this 5-Part Arc; this week, let’s take the next step “From Trust to Transformation”.

When trust takes root, conversations don’t just connect, they change us.

Because trust is the foundation that allows people to open up, take risks, and explore new possibilities.

Think of the most transformative conversations you’ve had. The chances are that they didn’t happen in a room full of doubt or hesitation. They happened where trust was present – where you felt safe enough to be honest, bold, even vulnerable.

Why Trust Enables Transformation

  • Trust creates safety. Without it, people protect themselves. With it, they open up.
  • Trust unlocks creativity. Risk-taking is only possible when the ground beneath us feels solid.
  • Trust fuels courage. Change requires courage – and courage is contagious in trusted spaces.

Transformation doesn’t begin with strategy, goals, or even vision. It begins with trust.

When people trust each other, they share openly, challenge assumptions, and risk new ideas.

When trust is missing, even the smartest strategies fall flat – because fear holds people back.

Three Ways to Move from Trust to Transformation

  1. Invite honesty. Ask: “What do you really think?” Trust creates psychological safety and people only bring their best ideas when they feel safe to speak up.
  2. Normalise vulnerability. Risk is only possible when failure doesn’t mean rejection. Model openness by admitting what you don’t know.
  3. Celebrate growth, not perfection. Transformation is about progress, not flawless outcomes.

Trust builds resilience – in times of change, trust is the anchor that keeps teams grounded.

A Story of Transformation

A client once told me that their team meetings transformed when they stopped trying to be “perfect” leaders and instead started showing vulnerability. The moment they said, “I don’t have all the answers, but I trust this team to find them,” something shifted. People began contributing more honestly. Within months, the team was innovating faster than ever before.

Final Thought

Transformation is rarely sudden. It’s the slow, steady unfolding that happens when trust is present.

Trust is the soil. Transformation is the growth. One without the other cannot last.

 

“Trust is the foundation of any relationship, and transformation is the fruit.”

– Unknown –

 

So, if you want change that lasts – start with trust and the transformation will follow.

With warmest wishes,

korinne-sig

Korinne Le Page
Thrive Coaching & Training – Empowering You to Thrive!

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Thought for the Week – From Focus to Trust

from-focus-to-trust

Thought for the Week – From Focus to Trust: Why does uncertainty erode trust so quickly?

In last week’s Thought for the Week, we explored how conversations move From Friction to Focus. If you missed it, you can catch up here. You will have noticed a progression over the past few emails! In this 5-Part Arc; this week, let’s take the next step From Focus to Trust.

Why Trust Follows Focus

When clarity emerges, trust follows, because trust isn’t built on constant agreement – it’s built on knowing where we stand.

Think of the leaders or colleagues you trust most…

  • Are they the ones who always said what you wanted to hear?
  • Or are they the ones who were clear, even when the truth was uncomfortable?

Trust isn’t simply about getting along. It’s about confidence; confidence that the person across from you means what they say, follows through, and stands for something clear.

When focus emerges in a conversation – when the noise is stripped away and what matters most comes into view – trust has space to grow.

Why Focus Builds Trust 

Focus removes ambiguity. When we’re clear, people know what to expect because people don’t trust what they don’t understand. Clarity creates confidence.

Focus leads to consistency. Consistency builds confidence. When our direction is clear, our actions align – and reliability builds trust.

Focus reveals integrity. Trust deepens when what we say and what we do align.

Three Ways to Build Trust Through Focus

  1. Be clear, not vague: Uncertainty erodes trust; clarity strengthens it. 
  1. Share the ‘why’: When people understand the reasoning, they feel respected. 
  1. Match words with actions: Nothing builds – or breaks – trust faster than this.

A Final Thought

Focus isn’t just about productivity. It’s about trust. Because when people see clarity, they can place confidence in it.

Trust doesn’t grow in the absence of friction; it grows in the presence of clarity.

 

“Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication.”

– Stephen R. Covey –

 

So, the next time you leave a tough conversation with clarity, remember that you may have just planted the seed of building deeper trust.

With warmest wishes,

korinne-sig

Korinne Le Page
Thrive Coaching & Training – Empowering You to Thrive!

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Thought for the Week – From Friction to Focus

from-friction-to-focusThought for the Week – From Friction to Focus: Ever noticed how your sharpest insights often come after your toughest conversations? 

Last time, we explored “From Flow to Friction”. If you missed it, you can catch up here

This week, I’d like to take that one step further: From Friction to Focus.

As discussed last week, we often think of friction as resistance – what if it’s moving us from friction to focus?

Friction slows us down, yes – yet it also sharpens us. It’s the pause that forces us to look again, to strip away what’s unimportant, and to see what really matters.

Why Friction Creates Focus

When conversations hit a bump – through disagreement, hesitation, or resistance – it’s tempting to see it as a setback. Yet friction often isn’t the end of communication, it’s the moment that clarifies what’s truly important.

Like a lens coming into focus, friction cuts through the blur. It forces us to pause, reconsider, and bring sharper attention to what matters.

Think back to a time when you disagreed with someone at work, or in your personal life. Maybe the tension felt uncomfortable.

In hindsight, did the disagreement clarify a priority?

Did it highlight a hidden value?

Did it sharpen your perspective on what mattered most?

That’s the gift of friction. Without it, we might move quickly but without direction. With it, we pause, reflect, and reorient toward what’s essential.

Here’s how friction can actually serve us:

  1. It clarifies values. Disagreement often reveals what’s deeply important to each person.
  2. It filters noise. In tension, the non-essential fades, leaving the core message clear.
  3. It fuels alignment. Once clarified, those values can guide shared decisions.

Three Practical Tools to Try This Week

  1. Name what matters. When friction arises, ask: What value or principle is being tested here? Often, that’s the real conversation waiting to happen.
  2. Reframe the resistance. Instead of thinking “This is conflict,” try: “This is a chance to gain clarity.”
  3. Create clarity statements. Summarise what you’ve learned from the moment of tension in one sentence. For example: “We both care about quality, even if we see different paths to get there.”

A Simple Story

One leader I worked with recently shared how their team often hit roadblocks when making decisions. At first, those moments felt frustrating. Yet when they began pausing to ask, “What’s the real issue we’re trying to solve?” the friction transformed into clarity. The discussions took a little longer, yes – but decisions became sharper, faster to implement, and far more sustainable.

That’s the paradox: friction may seem like it slows us down, yet it often saves time in the long run by sharpening our focus!

A New Perspective

This week, notice when a conversation gets uncomfortable. Instead of pushing past it, lean in. Ask the deeper question. Listen for the underlying value. See if the moment of friction is pointing you toward focus.

Because when we let friction refine us, we don’t just restore connection – we discover clarity. 

“Clarity comes not from avoiding friction, but from facing it.”

– Brené Brown –

I always enjoy hearing your perspective. If a conversation would be helpful, I’d be glad to set one up.

With warmest wishes,

korinne-sig

Korinne Le Page
Thrive Coaching & Training – Empowering You to Thrive!

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Thought for the Week – From Flow to Friction

from-flow-to-frictionWhen have you learned more from a disagreement than from an agreement?

Last time, we explored “From Fuel to Flow: How Communication Creates Momentum”. If you missed it, you can catch up here.

We love conversations that flow. They’re energising, effortless, full of momentum.

What happens when the flow of conversation stalls?

When our conversations meet a moment of friction: disagreement, hesitation, a pause that feels heavy?

Friction Isn’t Failure

In a world where speed is celebrated, silence, hesitation, or disagreement can feel uncomfortable. Yet friction isn’t a breakdown – it’s a breakthrough waiting to happen.

Friction forces us to slow down, listen closer, and notice what lies beneath the surface.

Too often, we treat friction as failure. Yet friction is not the end of connection – it’s the test of it. Like sandpaper, friction shapes and refines. It slows us down so we can see what really matters.

Think of it like this:

  • Flow creates movement and carries us forward.
  • Friction creates depth and an opportunity to grow.

Think about your most meaningful relationships – whether at work, in your family, or with friends. The chances are, they grew stronger in tough moments, where honesty was tested and trust was built, rather than in more challenging situations.

The leaders, colleagues, and friends we most remember are rarely the ones who avoided conflict. They are the ones who leaned into it with curiosity, patience, and courage.

How to Turn Friction into Connection

This week, I invite you to try these three practical ways to welcome friction instead of fearing it:

  1. Stay Curious, Not Defensive. Ask: “Tell me more about how you see it?” 
  1. Acknowledge the moment: “I sense some tension here – could we explore it?” 
  1. Seek the Deeper ‘Why’. Go beyond positions and uncover what truly matters, i.e., the underlying need, value, or concern that really matters to the person, or to yourself.
The Gift of Friction

When flow meets friction, connection deepens – and the conversations that follow endure.

Without friction, wheels spin.

Without resistance, muscles don’t grow.

Without challenge, conversations remain shallow.

The next time flow turns to friction, see it as an invitation rather than a roadblock. It may just be the spark that deepens trust and sets the stage for real momentum.

So, let’s not just celebrate conversations that flow. Let’s learn to value the ones that stretch us. That’s where the real growth happens.

 

“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.”

– Albert Einstein –

 

As always, I love hearing your thoughts. If you’d like to arrange a conversation anytime, let’s do that!

With warmest wishes,

korinne-sig

Korinne Le Page
Thrive Coaching & Training – Empowering You to Thrive!

Not yet subscribed to Thrive? Join here to receive weekly reflections and prompts: Subscribe to Thrive

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Thought for the Week – From Fuel to Flow: How Communication Creates Momentum

ripple-effectWhat ripples out after you’ve left the room?

Last time, we explored “Fuel or Fizzle: The Energy Behind Every Conversation. If you missed it, you can catch up here

Ripples are powerful. A stone dropped into a pond lifts water, catches the eye, and draws attention. Yet a single ripple alone will fade. True impact happens when the motion spreads, creating waves that move far beyond the first splash.

That’s the challenge with communication today: too many messages create momentary energy but no lasting movement.

Flow is what happens when communication builds direction, trust, and curiosity that lasts. It’s not just “feel-good energy” in the room – it’s energy that keeps people moving once the meeting or conversation ends.

Think of it like this:

  • A splash or a spark is motivation.
  • Flow is momentum.

Leaders, parents, colleagues, friends – we all face the same choice: do we chase sparks, or create flow?

As Jay-Z wisely said: “Don’t just go with the flow. Be the flow.”

I invite you to try a small practice this week:

Instead of finishing a conversation with “That was great,” finish with one thing that sustains flow. For example;

  • a clear next step
  • a shared story
  • a powerful question.

Because conversations that spark disappear, while conversations that flow endure – and multiply. And we don’t have to be a leader to inspire others.

 

“Don’t just be a leader who inspires in the moment; be one who creates momentum beyond the moment.”

– Craig Groeschel –

[Public speaker, New York Times best-selling author who has written several books, including “Winning the War in Your Mind” and “Lead Like It Matters”]

 

As always, I love hearing your thoughts. If you’d like to have a conversation anytime, let’s arrange one!

With warmest wishes,

korinne-sig

Korinne Le Page
Thrive Coaching & Training – Empowering You to Thrive!

Not yet subscribed to Thrive? Join here to receive weekly reflections and prompts: Subscribe to Thrive

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Thought for the Week – Fuel or Fizzle: The Energy Behind Every Conversation

Communication-regenerates-or-depletesThink back to the last conversation you had that left you energised … 

Thought for the Week – Fuel or Fizzle: The Energy Behind Every Conversation

Last time, we explored “Thriving in a Human-Centric Future” and, whilst AI can do many things, it can’t be us. Because in the end, technology may change the tools we use, yet it’s still people who make the difference.

If you missed it, you can catch up here

Have you noticed how some conversations leave you buzzing with energy – while others leave you flat? Same time, same exchange, and yet a very different impact.

That’s because communication is never neutral. It either fuels or fizzles.

Every interaction leaves something behind. It either regenerates, building trust, clarity, and connection – or it depletes, leaving doubt, noise, or confusion.

And here’s the thing: communication that fuels isn’t something we need a qualification for. It’s something we can all develop and practise, every day.

Employers consistently rank communication at the top of skills they need. Yet this isn’t only about the workplace. Whether you’re a parent, a student, a colleague, or a friend, your words carry weight.

Every one of us has the power to spark or stall in daily interactions – whether it’s with a client, a colleague, a family member, a student or even at the kitchen table.

What does regenerative communication look like?

Regenerative communication isn’t just about being clear or polite. It’s about creating connection and energy that multiplies:

  • Clarity instead of noise: Words that create direction, not confusion.
  • Trust instead of doubt: Honest, open exchanges that build confidence and connection.
  • Curiosity instead of closure: Questions that invite discovery, not just endings.
  • Energy: it leaves people empowered, not feeling smaller.

Why it matters now more than ever

In a world overflowing with messages, updates, and notifications, people just don’t need more communication. Less is more.

Communication isn’t simply a “soft skill.” It’s a human one, so we need communication that fuels, and conversations that energise.

A simple experiment for this week

  • Pause before replying – and let listening do the heavy lifting.
  • Ask one well-placed question that opens the conversation instead of closing it.
  • Replace one routine update with a short story that adds meaning.

In a noisy world, communication is not just about transferring information and being understood – it’s about the energy we leave behind in the other person.

The Ripple Effect

When we communicate regeneratively, we don’t just get better outcomes in the moment. We create ripples – trust, confidence and inspiration that continue long after the words have faded.

In a time of change and uncertainty, this is how we make communication not just a skill, but a daily act of renewal.

We know that words alone have just 7% impact in our conversations – it’s all about HOW we say those words through our tone of voice and body language.

So, words, and how we deliver them, don’t just transfer information. They shape futures.

 

“Words can inspire, and words can destroy. Choose yours well.”

– Robin Sharma –

[Canadian writer, best known for his “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” book series]

 

As always, I love hearing your thoughts. If you’d like to have a conversation anytime, I’d be very happy to.

With warmest wishes,

korinne-sig

Korinne Le Page
Thrive Coaching & Training – Empowering You to Thrive!

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Thought for the Week – Thriving in a Human-Centric Future

human-centric-skillsWhat’s one “human skill” you think will be even more valuable in five years than it is today?

Last time, we explored “Did AI Write This?” and when something is structured and punctuated, nowadays it can be misunderstood as being AI-generated. If you missed it, you can catch up here

Exam results have just landed for many young people, and for some, it’s a celebration; for others, a moment of uncertainty. Yet here’s the thing: we know that the grades on that piece of paper are not the final word on their future.

Because the future of work is changing faster than any curriculum.

The skills that will matter most in the years ahead won’t be measured by a test score.

When we think about it…

  • AI can write, but can it truly listen?
  • AI can analyse, but can it build trust?
  • AI can summarise, but can it inspire action?

Communication, empathy, collaboration – these are the regenerative, human-centric skills that set people apart, and grow stronger the more we use them, like a muscle… and that AI can’t replicate.

AI isn’t the enemy – it’s the amplifier. It’s about leveraging our uniquely human strengths.

The conversation around AI often focuses on replacement: “Will AI take my job?” Yet the real question is: “How will I work alongside AI to add value that only a human can?”

Think of AI as a tool that can handle the heavy lifting – drafting a first version, crunching the numbers, organising the data. This frees you up to do the things only you can do:

  • Spot the emotional nuance in a client’s response.
  • Frame an idea so it inspires action, not just understanding.
  • Build trust that lasts longer than any transaction.

The Enduring Human Edge

Here’s what won’t get automated anytime soon:

  • Empathy: Understanding feelings, not just facts.
  • Storytelling: Turning ideas into experiences that people connect with
  • Collaboration: Blending skills, perspectives, and yes, even AI contributions.
  • Adaptability: Navigating change with creativity, rather than fear.

These skills aren’t static. They’re regenerative – the more we use them, the stronger they get.

Why This Matters Now

Employers worldwide are saying the same thing: they need people who can connect, communicate, and adapt. LinkedIn’s research consistently ranks soft skills – especially communication – at the top of hiring priorities.

And here’s the best part – you don’t need to wait for a new qualification to start building them. You can practise these every day:

  • Ask better questions.
  • Listen without rushing to reply.
  • Turn a dull report into a story people want to hear.

A Regenerative Approach to Skills

AI can store information. Humans can create meaning.

AI can give an answer. Humans can spark a conversation.

If you approach your skills like a living ecosystem – feeding them through experiences, conversations, and curiosity – they’ll keep growing and adapting as the world changes.

 

“Artificial intelligence is not a substitute for human intelligence; it is a tool to support and extend it.”

– Fei-Fei Li –

[Co-Director of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence]

 

So, I invite you to try these things this week and see how it changes your conversations…

  • Listen longer than feels comfortable before you reply.
  • Ask one question designed to reveal something new.
  • Tell one story that makes data feel human.

The tech will keep evolving. The question is: will we?

AI can do many things. But it can’t be you. Because in the end, technology may change the tools we use, yet it’s still people who make the difference.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this too and, if you would like to have a conversation, I would be very happy to meet up.

With warmest wishes,

korinne-sig

Korinne Le Page
Thrive Coaching & Training – Empowering You to Thrive!

Not yet subscribed to Thrive? Join here to receive weekly reflections and prompts: Subscribe to Thrive

P.S. Feel free to share your experiences and insights!

P.P.S. Book a complimentary Clarity Session with me here

Testimonials

linked-in

#ThoughtForTheWeek #Communication #GrowthMindset #SelfCompassion #Leadership #HumanSkills #AI