Have you ever been in a conversation and the other person launches into what they want to say without preparing you for what is coming. Ever found it difficult to follow what someone is saying because they know what they mean, but you have no idea of what they may be trying to say. I see this in freqently in workplaces and it impacts morale, culture, communication and performance.
Priming someone for what you are going to say, the types of questions you are going to ask or what the focus of the discussion or conversation is about, is both nurturing to your own and the other person’s brain. For example saying something like, I want to run …. by you and I have some a few questions to ask that will assist me to….. Or do you have an hour or so to talk about and I am keen to get your advice about….or Do you have 10 minutes for me to discuss …… with you. The use of language is critical for both people to get on the same page in the conversation. This is one of the reasons conflict occurs so much in workplaces.
When we prime the other person for the context of the conversation, if we are going to ask questions, make statements or problem solve is like leading the other person to the same place you are. It saves brain power and energy by getting into the same conversation and the outcome is more likely to be successful. Priming is important as it allows the other person’s predictive pattern to get on the same page as you and given both people have had different experiences, raised in different families have infer things differently, priming is an important way to show the other person you care about them in the conversation.
It is like choosing the right colour when you are painting and having all the right tools in the preparation process so that when you start painting it all comes together in a balanced and harmonious way. T
For more information about The Power of Priming contact me on hello@traceyharris.global.