10 basic rules for good conversation

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Honesty, brevity, clarity and the ability to listen to the interlocutor are the key to a good conversation. Radio host Celeste Headley has shared guidelines to help her communicate and interview. You can use all of them or select several.

1. Don't get distracted

This does not mean that you just need to put down your phone or tablet. Live in the present moment. Don't worry about an argument with your boss or what to cook for dinner. If you want to end the conversation, do so, but do not continue the conversation thinking about something of your own.

2. Do not impose your own opinion

If you want to express your point of view without receiving an answer or criticism, start a blog. You should start a conversation hoping to learn something. As TV host Bill Nye said, "Everyone you meet knows something that you don't." To really hear the other person, try to set aside your own views for a while.

3. Ask questions that require a detailed answer

Take an example from journalists: start the question with the words “who”, “what”, “when”, “where”, “why”, “how”. Otherwise, the interlocutor will only answer "yes" or "no". Ask to describe an event or feeling. The interlocutor will think, but the answer will be interesting.

4. Follow the flow of the conversation

Often a thought comes to our mind and we stop listening to the interlocutor, thinking only about what we will ask ourselves. Moreover, it happens that the question repeats what the person said earlier. To prevent this from happening, learn to let go of the thoughts that arise in you. They will come and go, just don't cling to them.

5. If you don't know something, say so

Radio presenters have to pay particular attention to their speech so as not to call themselves experts on the air in something that they do not understand so well. Try to follow this rule. Do not throw words to the wind. Better to play it safe and underestimate yourself.

6. Don't compare your experience with that of the other person

If the interlocutor talks about the loss of a loved one, do not say that you have experienced the same. If he mentions problems at work, don't talk about your boss.

You should not equate your experience with someone else's, they are never the same. And most importantly, we are not talking about you now. Don't pull attention by proving how wonderful you are or how much you've been through.

7. Don't repeat yourself

It's arrogant and boring, but we all do it. Especially in conversations at work or conversations with children. We want to make a point, so we will rephrase it over and over again. Try to break this habit.

8. Don't go into details

People do not care much about the exact dates, first names, surnames and other details that you are trying to remember during the conversation. They are not interested in this. They are interested in you, what kind of person you are, what they have in common with you. So forget about unnecessary details.

9. Listen

This is the most important conversation skill. Of course, speaking yourself is easier and more pleasant. To listen, you need to make an effort, expend energy. But without this, there will be no real conversation. You will just take turns pronouncing more or less related sentences.

10. Be concise

That says it all.

These rules all boil down to one thing: be interested in people. Talk, listen and always be ready to be surprised.