If You Can Master Conversations, You Can Master Leadership – with Will Fleming

Aug 16
3 min read

“Not now, Will. Quiet down, please.”

Those words followed Will Fleming through much of his school life. Dyslexic, he struggled to capture ideas on paper. Talking was his lifeline — the way he processed the world. But in classrooms, his voice was often treated as a distraction rather than a strength.

Fast-forward to today, and Will has built a career from that very skill. As the founder of Campfire Studios and Digicore, he’s helped individuals, teams, and leaders use conversation to connect, inspire, and even heal.

His philosophy is simple: If you can master conversations, you can master leadership.

Lesson 1: Safe Spaces Come Before Great Conversations

In the Pacific Moana region, conversation has always been central. Talking wasn’t just social — it was how knowledge was passed down, how harmony was built, how communities thrived.

But Will warns that in today’s workplaces, we often forget this. Too many conversations happen in spaces charged with tension — rooms where someone was just told off, or where hierarchy looms over every word.

He points to the Pacific concept of talanoa:

Tala — to converse
Noa — harmony or neutrality

Great conversations happen at “zero” — a place where no one takes more than they give, and trust flows both ways.

Practical takeaway for leaders:

Don’t just invite people to talk — remove the barriers that keep them from speaking freely.
Choose the right space and tone before you start.
If you need people’s honest input, make sure they feel safe enough to give it.

Lesson 2: Small Talk Creates Big Talk

When networking or meeting new people, Will doesn’t go in with a pitch. He goes in with curiosity.

“Ask about their story,” he says. “Learn who they are before you share what you do. Small talk creates the big talk.”

In leadership, the same applies. The casual conversation at the coffee machine can open the door to deeper trust and bigger ideas later.

Practical takeaway for leaders:

Treat informal moments as opportunities to connect.
Avoid rushing into “what you need” from someone. Build rapport first.
Remember: relationships are the foundation for results.

Lesson 3: Capture the Stories Before They’re Gone

Will is passionate about preserving the voices and stories of those who shaped us. He lost his mother three years ago — now, every recorded conversation reminds him of her warmth and laughter.

“We think they’ll always be here,” he says. “But they won’t.”

For him, recording stories isn’t just nostalgia — it’s leadership. Stories carry lessons, identity, and values forward.

Practical takeaway for leaders:

Capture the knowledge in your team before it walks out the door.
Record conversations, debriefs, or storytelling sessions (with permission).
Encourage intergenerational dialogue so wisdom passes on, not away.

Lesson 4: Your Voice is a Leadership Tool

Will’s closing message is simple but powerful:“If we can be confident in our speaking, we can build a network. If we can build a network, we can create opportunity. And it all starts with a hello.”

In other words, the path to influence isn’t always built on grand speeches — it’s built on thousands of intentional, human conversations.

Practical takeaway for leaders:

Treat every conversation as a chance to lead.
Develop your listening skills alongside your speaking skills.
Don’t underestimate the ripple effect of small, consistent moments of connection.