Page 181 - Everything I Know About Business I Learned

Communications

to keep up with the more senior members of the group. Our ani-
mated discussions, on more than one occasion, prompted the
restaurateurs to warn us to either keep it down or leave. These
spirited gatherings were, in fact, part of the culture, and often
made for good stories, particularly the time we got booted out
of the legendary Palm restaurant in Manhattan for being a bit
too lively. Mixed in with that good-natured fun was the oppor-
tunity to express ourselves comfortably, building relationships
and opening the door for future collaborations. The arguments
that ensued hardly mattered—we were advancing our discus-
sions in a manner that was centered around business but still
fun. As Ed Rensi mentioned, “Debate intelligently.”

Lesson Learned

It’s important to keep communication light, lively, and fun at a 151
group function. It’s the leader’s responsibility to ensure that

1. Everyone gets involved.
2. People don’t step on each other in conversation, and
everyone has his or her say.
3. The culture is nurtured in such a way that it becomes a
given that everyone’s opinion counts.
4. The conversation does not get into areas that can be
uncomfortable or inappropriate.
5. The leader’s role is to facilitate.

I tried to absorb all that transpired in these conversations,
grasping the various styles of each participant. Ultimately, I
decided that while volume and speed of conversation helped, in