Purplemoon Monthly Musing
Posted 30th July 2025
The Power of Micro-Conversations - a Purplemoon Monthly Musing
Welcome to Purplemoon Monthly Musings.
On the final Wednesday of every month Jenny will be posting out about a theme that has been appearing in her work, or her life, across all sectors. It could be a topic that particularly resonates with you, or it might be a new concept or idea to you. Either way the aim is to give voice to some thoughts, ponder some questions and explore what this might mean to us as individuals and as a community. Jenny will always aim to credit original sources as she explores the musings title and will welcome your comments and contributions to keep the musing going! This blog is also published on LinkedIn. Follow Jenny here.
Hello! (wave and smile) Recently I have been considering the number of conversations that I might have in one day, and also, what constitutes a conversation? This has led me to write this months musing on the power of what I am choosing to call the micro conversation.
We all know that validation matters, that acknowledgement matters and that belonging matters. We also know that the giving of appreciation and thanks is positive for the recipient and of the giver, so how does that all translate into powerful micro-conversations?
James and I were walking on Sunday and we found ourselves exploring the site of an old lead mine just above Grassington. We were not the only ones there, indeed our walk had been punctuated by ‘good mornings’ and smiles that happen frequently when you are in the wonderful Yorkshire outdoors. We had already had a joyful micro-conversation with a North York Moors volunteer who kindly held a gate open for us with a bit of showmanship.
But at this lead mine a mum and son were exploring the shale looking for ‘gems’ – which I only know because I asked! I could have walked past, but in a microsecond I chose not to, instead engaging them both in a conversation that they both willingly joined in. I think his mum appreciated that someone had shown an interest, and validated what her son and her were doing (and didn’t dismiss his ideas when he told me what he thought they had found). I also wasn’t offended when he didn’t want to show me what he had found (they were in his bag and it would be too much faff!). As the lad wandered off I suggested a place to his mum where I knew they could search for and get some info about stones and gems. in those few moments I had validated an activity, sated my curiosity and engaged in knowledge sharing. will I ever see those people again? I doubt it. Was it good for me? Absolutely.
I am not going to get into the north/south debate (divide) over who are the most spontaneously friendly or welcoming. Wherever I am in the world I will smile and engage (for the vast majority of time). And most often I will get a level of engagement back.
If anyone ever attempts to engage me, I will give a genuine and spontaneous response. Yes I do love it when someone comments on my hair, no I will never get bored of it. Yes, the phrase ‘nearly there’ when climbing up a steep hill spoken by someone either going down or overtaking me does irritate me somewhat-do I show it? Not to the person giving me encouragement! To them I will smile graciously, and attempt to receive it in the manner it is given. If my attempt at connection is ignored I take it as a reflection on where they are at that moment in time, not as a reflection on me!
Sometimes, when out walking and having a brief interaction with a fellow walker I might wonder if that is the only positive face to face interaction they have had in that day. I always hope not, but i also recognise that it might be the case, and so I do believe they matter. I believe that the connection and interaction with someone that I might only meet once in my lifetime is important, and the collection of these interactions add bright moments into my memory and knowledge of society and humanity. We do all remember those fellow humans who were kind, thoughtful, welcoming even if the interaction and conversation only lasted a few moments. Walking away with a smile is deeply powerful.
So, my last thought for you is this? how many meaningful micro-conversations are you going to have this summer? As throughout any given day there are so many opportunities to engage in a conversation. Whether it be the walker you pass, the person waiting at a bus stop, someone in a shop, that person who is in the same holiday location as you, a neighbour, or that person in a staff communal area or doorway that isn’t in your team. However long (or short) or deep (or superficial) your conversation is, you both will get something from it, and just like a smile, the benifits can longer than those few seconds (or minutes). Notice and accept them for or the bright spark they are. That is the power of a micro-conversation.
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