Conversational capacity is defined as the ability to have balanced, open and productive conversations on difficult subjects, designed for everyone to learn.* It is a critical skill to foster open, disciplined conversations on the difficult, values-laden topics often involved in complex problem-solving and policymaking.

Conversational capacity is defined as the ability to have balanced, open, and productive conversations on difficult subjects, designed for everyone to learn. It is a critical skill to foster open, disciplined conversations on the difficult, values-laden topics often involved in complex problem-solving and policymaking.

Conversational capacity helps solve complex, systems-level challenges that require multiple perspectives across silos or systems to develop a shared understanding of the factors that influence these challenges. Groups who practice conversational capacity make more informed decisions by pooling their differing views to co-create new knowledge and expand the field of vision on an issue as well as the range of potential solutions available. Having the skills to participate in conversations that appropriately balance candor with curiosity move conversations to learning opportunities by recognizing everyone’s views are an important piece to solving the problem at hand.

The Georgia Health Policy Center uses conversational capacity to facilitate productive working meetings for clients. The center also works to build the capacity of policymakers and multisector coalitions to use conversational capacity in their work to lean into differences, improve individual and group thinking, and build the trust needed to sustain their work together, particularly in complex systems work related to addressing social determinants of health and promoting equity.

Additional Resources

• Conversational capacity postcard

*Weber, C., (2013) Conversational Capacity: The secret to building successful teams that perform when the pressure is on. McGraw Hill Education: New York.