Week 8 Coaching assignment: Part 2: Advocacy and Inquiry

I am narrating my recent conversation with the Vice President of International Association of Students in Economic and Commercial Sciences (AIESEC) of Laval University. I come to know that there was a position available in the AIESEC Laval for the communication position. I took the appointment for meeting and offered my services for the position.

The conversations started with a mutual learning and introduction. The Vice President (VP) of communication department started explaining about the organization. First he told me about the partners across the world. He explained in detail about the purpose of the organization. All the advantages of being a member of the organisation and in addition how can we get the connections from the other partners across the globe. I asked him how many people presently associated with the organisation. How old is this organisation? Then he asked me how I come to know this organisation? Is there any of my friends associated with this committee? Communication was in full flow from both sides.

Later, VP started asking questions one after another. He asked me many questions about my educational background, hobbies, likes and dislikes and family background. He asked me the following questions too:-

Ø How long I will be here? What is the course I am doing here?

Ø What is my interest in coming to Canada? Why not USA or UK?

Ø Later he asked me how I come to know the LAVAL University. Do people know the university in your country?

Ø He asked me about my technical skills and experience of web development?

I replied him that I had some of my colleagues associated with this organisation. They told me about the advantages of being a member of such an organisation. I also added that I enjoy working for social organisations. When I was in under graduation, I used to work for such type of organisations. We have an association for promotion of energy conservation. And I had worked in that association for 2 years. VP appreciated and said we want somebody who have an experience of working for social cause and the most important is that he/she should be passionate about his/her responsibilities.

After getting to know me, my profile and interest; VP looked satisfied and thought that I am capable to hold the communication position. He started telling me about the roles and responsibilities of wed developer and furthermore explained the brand management policies of the organisation.

Since Web developers are responsible for publishing the reports, advertisements and news letter about the organisation. So being a communication web developer, I need to follow the protocols and branding rules. I can’t change the logo of AIESEC on the website and to publish the events and news without approvals of president. I need to respect the partner’s interest and abide by the rules and guidelines set by the president of the organisation. I understand that I have restricted rights to do the changes on the website and website is heavily accessed by AIESEC member.

Later we reached a stage of little dialogue. We reached to a level where no more inquiry needed. We got to know one another well. Conversation reached the phase of observing. Later we finished the meeting by greeting each other.

Observation:

I observed that the conversation started with high advocacy and high inquiry, but later it reached to low inquiry and low advocacy. To keep the momentum high, I need to take a different stand for inquiry. I could have been more polite and provide more air time to other person. Then I could have prolonged the discussion in mutual learning.

To make other person join you in the communication, it is important to provide an inviting atmosphere. As well show interest in his/her ideas and try to surmount the creative thought that no one would have initially imagined. To preserve the dialogues it is significant that his/her interest should be proportionally balanced during questioning, answering and mutual learning phases. Other person should not feel he/she have been interrogated or imposed too much in the conversation. Provide sufficient space to express his/her views. Show interest in the talk and ask questions into his/her views frequently.

As a manager, skillful means required to master this practices are as follow:-

· Don’t be in a hurry; give sufficient time to understand other’s view and feelings.

· Respond courteously to enhance your self-worth, rather than tear it down.

· Understand “the devil is in the details”. Don’t dig too much on any point. Keep the question and information straightforward and comprehensible.

· Learn to focus initially on what the other person is saying rather than your own intended response.

· Keep the conversation creative and generate ideas, and most important together. So that the dialogue can be further develop and achieve better results.

Real manager should act like a facilitator all through the conversation. Make the dialogues informative, explainable, observing and most important a platform for mutual learning.

Thanks & regards,

Abhinav Shrivastava