Most people are able to talk candidly in closed, private conversations with a friend or loved one. It becomes more difficult to maintain that level of authenticity in a more public, less intimate setting.

Yet, this is exactly the kind of ability that multi-level, cross-functional teams need to develop in the private companies and family businesses of the 21st century.

The challenge is to get people from diverse perspectives, possibly with competing agendas or objectives, to collaborate in order to create an outcome that is bigger than their own goals.

It may be counterintuitive, but the truth is that the best outcome for the enterprise might require some people to actually lower their individual numbers or operating efficiencies.

It is often impossible for people engaged in complex business endeavors to generate the most possible value without holding meaningful, continuing conversations. What does it take?

• The ability to be professional and subordinate petty personal agendas to the best interests of the business.

• A shared understanding of the business idea.

• A disciplined framework for talking about the business, day-to-day.

• An expectation of candor and accuracy, and unwillingness to tolerate less.

• A shared commitment---arising out of a compelling purpose.

These factors never just arise accidentally from having good intentions.

They must be cultivated. They have to be pursued diligently. They cannot be mandated, and only occur when people nurture a culture in which accuracy is valued, and mutual respect is seen as a necessary ingredient for outstanding performance.

6. Provoking Conversations

Tool Preview: Builds confidence in your ability to foster a focused, disciplined approach to communication in your business. It’s not about warm and fuzzy. It’s all about clear and actionable. Get it done. Make it work. [Read Now]

The Achieving Consensus Story: While this is not a profile, Wayne Messick, the Publisher of Family Business Strategies, shares his insights gained in over twenty-five years of working intimately with family businesses. Here he talks compellingly of the need for authentic, constructive conversation within the walls of the family business. [Read Now]

7. Establishing Contracts For Purpose: A Framework For Authentic Conversations

Tool Preview: A structured framework, called a “Contract For Purpose,” that brings people together under a common focus, working toward the same outcomes, while minimizing the number of distractions and digressions. [Read Now]

The "Can't talk here” Story: This story, written by Wayne Messick, appears in his newsletter. It displays the need to talk honestly about how to address key issues, especially the personal ones that face any company over time. The author’s comments come at the end. [Read Now]