Roberts, Paul, "Live from Your Office! It's the Company Talk Show!", Fast Company, p. 150-170, October, 1999.

Using the notion of a talk show setting as the basis for staff and client conversation may sound a bit too much like Hollywood. However, the more I read of this article, the more I tended to compare some of the principles it touched on with Extension. Many of the main ideas definitely made sense, and I think, could be replicated without the fluff of putting on an actual talk show.

The main idea that I took from the article is that successful companies, like successful talk shows, are those that talk about the right things, to the right people, in the right way. As Extension began in the early part of this century, the audience and their needs were fairly clearly defined. Extension agents were hired to connect rural citizens to agricultural and home economics practices that could help to improve their lives. These practices were research-based. While part of that mission has remained intact, really the only constant today is the research-based information we try to pass on. Not only has our audience and mission changed, but the leadership of the organization looks much different than it once did.

The "Top 10 Ways Your Company is Like a Talk Show" list gave me some thoughts not only for Extension as an organization, but for our office as its own piece of the pie. The importance of the environment is one I identify with as I look around at our office space. Extension has always been cautious as far as spending on the frills, but our office would be much more presentable to clients and welcoming with a face-lift. The emphasis on conversation and building relationships through listening to each other really made sense, too. Often we are so busy getting our own day-to-day work done, we forget that taking time for casual conversation or that easily-cancelled staff meeting is very important. I think its true in our office and our organization in general, that some people are very comfortable with slowing down. Many of us feel guilty for spending too much time "just talking."

I know I want to work at slowing down enough to really listen to more people around me. I feel I am a caring person, but too often get caught up in the push and shove of this job and my family's hectic life. I need to keep reminding myself (and maybe some of my coworkers, too!) that meaningful conversations can be great ways to improve my teaching style and gain valuable perspectives.

In talking over this article with two coworkers, they both admitted to feeling like they are wasting time by simply talking. I had to explain more of what the article had to say about having a goal to your conversation, and not letting it get too far off track. One of them imediately thought of meetings she'd been in that went on way too long before ending in frustration of not accomplishing its goals. We talked about Tom Durel's approach to conducting a meeting by shutting it down with a silence break when things are too far off track. She thought she might try that with one group she leads.

The other coworker felt Extension does a fairly good job in offering chances for staff to dialogue. Even though it can get frustrating when we talk about topics and can't come to a conclusion, he recognized the value in communicating and learning more about each other as we voice our opinions and experiences. I agree. We also talked about the importance of leadership in leading these conversations. Like the dynamic personality of David Letterman, our "host" must be willing to take some risks and have some fun on the way to living out the Extension mission of today.

-- Anonymous, October 31, 1999