With more and more correspondence happening online, some say that the art and etiquette of face to face conversation is slowly dying away. However, at some stage or another, we will all end up in conversations that will be vital to our careers and future.
Here are our five top tips to having a good conversation.
1) Take a genuine interest in the person you are talking to.
If you take a genuine interest in what someone has to say then the chances are they will take a genuine interest in what you have to say as well.
2) Listen.
People like the opportunity to talk about themselves and to express their current situation, so make sure to actively listen to what it is they are saying and give them the chance to speak.
As Dale Carnegie wrote in his book How to Win Friends and Influence People
“And so I had him thinking of me as a good conversationalist when, in reality, I had been merely a good listener and had encouraged him to talk”
3) Put away the distractions.
When you are talking with someone, give them your full and undivided attention. There is nothing worse than trying to communicate with someone while they are all the time constantly checking their phone or watch. Don’t be that person!
4) Get to the point.
You may love to talk, but that doesn’t mean others want to hear it. If you have something to say then say it. Getting your message across concisely and effectively means that not only will you be more clear in your communication but also that there is less chance that the other person will lose interest.
5) Be open minded.
Part of open communication is that we don’t always know what will be said back to us. See every conversation as a chance learn something new, either about yourself or about the other person.
