In Leadership Conversations ( LEAD 443 ) we were tasked with doing an assignment that identified what sort of difficult conversation ‘animal’ we acted like. There were multiple descriptors for animals as well as an invitation to create our own animals. The worksheet I was provided detailed the Chameleon as such: “changes colors and sides in a conversation very quickly. They seem to agree with you one minute and the next seem to challenge you. They frequently say “oh, that’s nice but….., or I totally agree, but….” and insert something that is in direct contrast to what you attempted to say.” I think I am a Chameleon as I often want people to feel appreciated for being heard but then I always have a follow up comment or a contrarian remark. Knowing what ‘animal’ we are allows us to avoid falling into patterns during meetings that might not be productive or beneficial.
