ABSTRACT
Words give rise to the conversational competencies that enable innovative entrepreneurial teams to do their work. Without thoughtful words and interactions, teams would be hard-pressed to exist let alone to create breakthrough inventions and successful ventures. Fortunately, just as magic incantations can be mastered by aspiring wizards, the conversational competencies associated with innovative entrepreneurial work can be learned by people interested in creating successful ventures. Training for action teams has been enhanced to include modules on conversational structures–and outcomes have improved in terms of safety and satisfaction. Structured activities can help teams develop collaborative, provisional, and reflective conversational moves. Similarly, the process of documenting the innovation process can help teams become aware of aspects of their work that had previously been hidden. Conversational competencies can be learned, and they can be applied to the full array of challenges that face entrepreneurial teams.
