The unexpected gifts in conversations with strangers

In the last few weeks, I've had several conversations with people I'd never met before. Some seeking coaching, others shared a common interest in influencing and advancing healthcare. A couple were early in their careers, and others in a later season. 

And each one influenced my thinking and expanded my sense of what's possible.

In a conversation with a mid-career RN exploring a new career path and an opportunity to enhance the well-being of the people in her care, I deepened my understanding of the pressing challenges in her field and was reminded of the tenacity it takes to reinvent yourself within your profession. She came for mentorship, and I left with a renewed enthusiasm for the breadth of contribution nursing can make.

I entered the conversation curious and without an agenda. I’d been introduced to someone whose path I wouldn't have crossed on my own.  A health and wellness business owner and philanthropist who built and sold a large international wellness brand and now coaches philanthropists. The conversation wandered between shared cares and interests, the kind that surprises you with where it goes. I can't speak to what he took from it, but I left with a wider view of possibilities in influencing the healthcare landscape.

And then there was a coaching conversation with a senior health leader who had identified a persistent gap in women's healthcare in her organization. While she wasn't accountable for finding a solution, she felt responsible for exploring the possibilities. We spent time examining what was missing, what was possible, and what commitment and role she wanted to play in finding a solution. She came for coaching. I left moved and inspired by her resolve to take action to address the gap.

I’d love to know if you’ve had an unexpected conversation that widened your perspective or shifted your thinking?

If you haven’t in a while, who's one person you are curious to connect with? Reach out. You have no idea where the conversation might take you.