10 ways to have a better conversation | Celeste Headlee

Here are my takeaways from the Ted Talk '10 ways to have a better conversation'.

1. Don't multitask

- I mean, be present. Be in that moment.

- If you want to get out of the conversation, get out of the conversation, but don't be half in it and half out of it.

2. Don't pontificate

- You need to enter every conversation assuming that you have something to learn.

3. Use open-ended questions

- Start your questions with who, what, when, where, why or how.

4. Go with the flow

Do not worry about how to carry forward any conversations. Just be in the moment and go with the flow.

5. If you don't know, say that you don't know

There's nothing wrong with letting others know that you do not have an opinion on certain topics.

6. Don't equate your experience with theirs

- All experiences are individual.

- And, more importantly, it is not about you.

- Conversations are not a promotional opportunity.

7. Try not to repeat yourself

-It's condescending, and it's really boring, and we tend to do it a lot.

8. Stay out of the deets.

- Frankly, people don't care about the years, the names, the dates, all those details that you're struggling to come up with in your mind.

- They don't care. What they care about is you.

- They care about what you're like, what you have in common.

- So forget the details. Leave them out.

9. Listen

Actively listen to what others have to say. Listen to understand and not to respond.

10. Be brief

- A good conversation is like a miniskirt; short enough to retain interest, but long enough to cover the subject.

- Be interested in other people.

Go out, talk to people, listen to people, and, most importantly, be prepared to be amazed.

You can watch the video here

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