The Lost Conversations

Happy Thursday,

Just picture this for a second…

You show up for a meeting, and there’s no agenda, no decisions or agreements to be made, no updates to be shared, and no pressure. Sounds crazy and totally inefficient, right? Because in a time-poor world obsessed with reducing meetings, chasing efficiency, and saying things like “this meeting could have been an email,” we seem to have shut out unstructured dialogue. But is that really serving us?

🧠 LEARN something.

Most meetings at work are focused on two primary objectives: sharing information and making decisions, often at the expense of genuine dialogue. The pressure to be productive and efficient leaves little room for curiosity, inquiry, or unstructured exchange. Yet research shows that when pressure is removed, people tend to relax, and they speak more freely, share honestly, listen deeply, challenge ideas constructively, and express themselves more authentically. This is where creativity sparks, where complex problems are untangled, and where better thinking happens. But you already know this, right? Think about it: when was the last time a breakthrough idea or a ‘lightbulb moment’ came out of a structured boardroom meeting? More often, our best thoughts strike when the mind is free – grabbing a coffee with a colleague, scribbling ideas, on the commute, or cooking dinner. For example, a few years ago, I was facilitating a strategy and innovation workshop. After four hours of grinding and going around in circles with no progress, the group was dejected and had had enough. So they decided to head to the pub for a beer and a meal. Less than half an hour later, they were back in the room with totally different energy. They’d just had an “aha” moment and found the breakthrough solution at the pub! Case in point: the brain works better without pressure and structure.

Despite all the research and what we know, organisations still sacrifice open and unstructured dialogue at the altar of efficiency. Sadly, many teams have zero time for it. Remote teams are even worse. So I reckon as leaders, it’s time to start recognising this. I’m not asking you to throw away structure, efficiency, and productivity. But simply to consider this: in tomorrow’s world, the competitive edge may not come from efficiency alone but also from the quality of dialogue teams can hold. Leaders who build space for conversation build teams that can work in complexity, innovate, and out think the competition, not just outpace them.

🤔 REFLECT on an idea.

Without room for dialogue, meetings risk becoming a monologue, or worse, a false agreement where decisions are dismantled or quietly sabotaged after the fact. Sometimes the conversation matters just as much as the decision itself. And by conversation, I mean all of it – the agreements, the challenges, the doubts, and the messy back-and-forth in between.

😊 SMILE a little.

Okay, next on the meeting agenda is thinking outside the box for a more innovative solution. We’ve got ten minutes, so let’s smash it out 😂

✅ DO IT to get results.

One of the best times to lean on open, unstructured dialogue is in tricky conversations or wicked problems – the ones without a clear right or wrong answer. In these moments, give people permission to explore. I often start with: “I’m keen to discuss this. But I’m not looking for us to reach consensus or agreement today.”

Then step back and make sure everyone has a voice. It may feel clunky at first when people are getting used to it. But over time you’ll see the value. Ironically, you’ll often end up with more agreement than if you had forced a decision or consensus.

🌱 How we can support you and your team.

We provide strategic leadership solutions tailored to align with your business strategy, size, and budget. We can support your with:

• 1:1 Leadership and Performance Coaching

• Team Coaching, for high performing teams

• 1:1 Health & Lifestyle Coaching for busy stressed leaders.

• Workshops, offsites and team development.

• Or our flagship individual Leadership Coaching Programs.

Kia pai tō wiki

Kenny Bhosale

CEO & Founder, The Bridge Leaders