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3 Tips For More Meaningful Conversations
“Conversation is an art in which a man has all mankind for his competitors, for it is that which all are practising every day while they live.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ever wondered why it’s so rare to find those truly satisfying conversations, the ones we can then relish forever?
It’s a skill that takes time to hone despite having many opportunities daily. Verbal expression is a basic human need, yet few seem to understand the mechanics of making it an immersive one. As I hopefully look for people who might be skilled at this, I continue to also get better at it myself. Here I share 3 things I have been doing to practice the art of conversing.
Before I list my 3 tips, there are a few premises I should share which would make the tips more effective.
- Ensure you are in the right company, seek some sort of an intellectual equal. In cases where this is not a given, don’t expect to have an exceptional experience.
- Pause as you talk — this can be useful for the other person to pick up the baton and start talking, thus adding to the overall experience. Be sensible and read the feedback.
- Do not dominate as you share your thoughts. There is no need to one-up all the time. Make it pleasant for everyone involved. Give up your turn to…