Let's Rumble
Coined by professor, researcher, author, and podcast host Brené Brown, rumble language features prominently in any difficult conversation, moment of vulnerability, or act of courage. Specifically, “A rumble is a discussion, conversation, or meeting defined by a commitment to lean into vulnerability, to stay curious and generous…”
If the state of the world has you feeling excited, terrified, vulnerable, and in need of a little extra dose of courage this week (or any other), then buckle up because this was written for you.
During these moments, when we’re pulled between our fears and our courage, we need a shared language to support us through what Brené Brown likes to call… a rumble.
What is “rumble language”?
According to Brown, “The word rumble is more than just a weird West Side Story reference, it’s a way to say, “Let’s have a real conversation, even if it’s tough.”
Brené says, “A rumble is a discussion, conversation, or meeting defined by a commitment to lean into vulnerability, to stay curious and generous, to stick with the messy middle of problem identification and solving, to take a break and circle back when necessary, to be fearless in owning our parts, and, as psychologist Harriet Lerner teaches, to listen with the same passion with which we want to be heard.”
More than anything else, when someone says, “Let’s rumble,” it should be a cue to show up to even the most divisive of conversations with an open heart and mind. Even if you might find yourself in situations where you’ll have to engage in difficult conversations in the workplace– or even amongst family and friends– it’s useful to have a few phrases to keep these dialogues as meaningful as possible.
Here are three to consider, taken from Brown’s Rumble Toolkit:
I’m curious about…
Getting curious doesn’t mean compromising your own views, but simply being interested in someone else’s view of the same situation.That’s not my experience…
Don’t try to tell someone all the negative outcomes of trusting in a certain ideology. Instead, tell them all the positives of believing in a different ideology.Walk me through that…
Inviting others to talk about their views can lead to opportunities to grow together as opposed to posturing or shutting down about important conversations.
Ready to utilize rumble language in your workplace?
Leadology’s learning journeys include Dare to Lead workshops, customized workshops, and our premier influential communication program for managers. Ready to dive into how to “rumble” in the workplace in a way that will keep even your most difficult conversations productive, brave, and meaningful. Our team is ready to hear from you– click here to be taken to our contact page and tell us more about you and your unique team's needs!
To the power of brave conversations!
— Carrie and Team Leadology
