Stay Connected with Meaningful Conversation in the Time of Physical Distancing and #flatteningthecurve

Opportunities for learning and connection exist — even in trying times.

As many of us adopt new, if temporary, practices for our daily lives — including social isolation and the effective elimination of social gatherings — we have to find new ways to meaningfully connect with one another.

Feeling “connected” is foundational to our wellbeing, and in these times we’ll need to get creative to fulfill that need. We also have a unique opportunity in this moment to reflect — to examine what the spread of Coronavirus arises in us, and consider some of the “big” questions with an in-the-moment perspective.

How might we make the next few weeks as meaningful as possible?

Convers(ate)’s goal is to spread meaningful connection by asking thoughtful questions and to facilitate conversations about things that matter.

With that goal in mind, we are sharing a set of favorite questions to invite lightness into your current conversations, as well as a set of questions to help guide a conversation about experiences and perspectives in the time of COVID-19. Here’s how this might be useful:

1. If you’re reading this on your phone, and someone else is in the room, consider striking up a conversation right now. You might learn something new!
2. While practicing social distancing, consider organizing a virtual gathering with family or friends with the purpose of spending quality time together. The questions below can prompt a deeper dialogue instead of a comparison of statistics or supplies at your local store. Call a new kind of “family meeting!”
3. With your partner, feeling stuck in the same space can be tough. Challenge yourselves to put your phone down, and dive into an interesting conversation. Or, invite friends to join in and host a virtual night out.
4. For professional teams now working virtually, consider hosting a virtual meeting designed to acknowledge COVID-19 related circumstances and invite your team to share their points of view. Prioritizing human connection seems even more important in a moment of physical isolation. These questions invite different perspectives and may spark creativity that extends beyond the conversation and into your business.
5. If you are a student who finds themselves away from the classroom, be the one to initiate a virtual hangout using these questions to spark conversation.
6. For parents of at-home students, eat lunch or dinner together and check-in. This offers an opportunity to hear what your children think and how they’re dealing during this odd time.
7. For anyone feeling overwhelmed by small-talking about Coronavirus, invite a deeper conversation using the thought-provoking questions here.

Getting the Conversation Started

We’re all in this together, and it’s important and worth it to keep conversations going even in unfamiliar and unprecedented times.

Use a single question from the sets on the following page to spark conversation, or work through the entire set as part of an invitation to gather and talk — whatever works best for you. As always, we encourage you to be guided by three core principles: Presence, Genuine Curiosity, and Respect for Differences.

It’s especially important to bring awareness that each person in your life will experience these events in a different way as a result of their individual life experience. Being respectful, non-judgmental, and welcoming different perspectives can be a gift.

Questions to Discuss and Process the Current Moment

1. Who do you find yourself turning to during this time? Do you look to health experts? Policy makers? News outlets? Family members? Another trusted figure? Yourself?
2. Reflect on the strengths, skills or resources you could offer others in your family or community in the event of an emergency. What are they?
3. If you are isolated, reflect on what it feels like. How do you react to being told you cannot go certain places? How does it feel to be with minimal human contact?
4. If you had unexpected time to do something fun or productive at home, what would you most enjoy doing?
5. What has been most surprising to you in observing your own reactions or the reactions and actions of others?
6. What have the past few weeks taught you about preparedness in times of uncertainty?
7. What role do you believe you have in the overall health of your community and the world at large?
8. In challenging times, certain groups typically suffer more than others, and in some cases are marginalized. What groups do you see being most affected in these times, and what might be done to lessen their challenges?
9. What do you make of this quote? “He who jumps into the void owes no explanation to those who stand and watch.” — Jean-Luc Godard (Hat tip to Tim Ferriss for sharing this quote.)
10. What positive long term impacts might the COVID-19 pandemic have on our global society? On our governments? Work Culture?

Questions to Invite Lightness into Your Conversation

1. What is something small or unexpected that brings you joy?
2. Who is the most joyful person you know? Where do you think their joy comes from?
3. What is something in your life that you’re feeling particularly grateful for at the moment?
4. If you find yourself spending more time at home than you’re used to, look around: what is something you like about your physical space?
5. What are some of the different places you’ve called home in the past? Which was most special?
6. If you had a day completely to yourself, what is something you’d like to do for fun?
7. When was the last time you did something playful?
8. What time of day do you feel most energized? Are you a morning person or a night owl, or some combination?
9. It has been said that time is our most precious resource. Do you agree? Why or why not? How would you like to use the rest of the time you have today?
10. What’s something you’re curious to ask?

Finally, here’s a little bit about us.

Convers(ate) was created by two friends-turned-business-partners who are passionate about the art of asking good questions, meaningful conversation and the magic that happens when we come together with purpose.

Convers(ate) offers a box set that you can use at home, with 30 meaningful topics and hundreds of questions for conversation. We’re sold out on Amazon (back in stock on 3/21/20) but if you email us directly, we’ll get you a copy right away. We also can help you facilitate virtual conversations.

We love hearing from others who share those passions and are using Convers(ate) or have other ideas to share. Connect with us at hello@convers-ate.com.

We may continue to update and expand this guide based on your feedback.

Until then, be well.