become a great conversationalist in 7 easy steps

Become a Great Conversationalist in 7 Easy Steps

Step 1.!

www.contrariansmind.com @Contrariansmind

•  What’s your connection to the event?•  What’s keeping you busy when you’re not at events like

this or at work?•  Are you getting away this winter?•  Are you working on any charity initiatives?•  How did you come to be in your line of work?

Break the awkward silence Ask the following questions:

Step 2.!


•  What is on your mind?

•  What do you enjoy doing?

•  What motivates you in life?

•  Which sports do you play? These are some of the questions I have for every person I meet.

Be genuinely interested in the person Show interest by asking random questions:

Step 3.!


Respect other people’s point of view. Respect other people’s

space - don’t encroach on the person’s privacy unless a

common bond has been established. Respect other people’s

personal choices - don’t criticize or judge. Everyone has the

right to be themself, just as you have the right to be yourself.

Respect, don’t impose, criticize, or judge

Step 4.!


Go for the positive topics. Rather than talk about the coffee

that spilled this morning, talk about that place you are

looking forward to visit soon. It’s okay to talk about

“negative” topics once in a while, but only when you feel it is

okay with the other party and when it has a specific purpose.

Focus on the positives.

Step 5.!


Everyone is different. There are always commonalities across

people. For the differences, embrace them. They make all of

us unique. Agree to disagree if there are clashes in ideas. As

you talk to the other person, look for commonalities between

you and them. Once you find a common link, build on it.

Embrace differences while building on commonalities.

Step 6.!


•  What drives you in life?

•  What are your goals for the next year?

•  What inspired you to make this change?

•  Who is your favorite artist and why?

•  What book do you recommend I read?

Ask purposeful questions.

Step 7.!


Reciprocity in social psychology refers to responding to a positive action

with another positive action, rewarding kind actions. As a social

construct, reciprocity means that in response to friendly actions, people

are frequently much nicer and much more cooperative than predicted by

the self-interest model; conversely, in response to hostile actions they are

frequently much more nasty and even brutal.

Law of Reciprocity.

Reference: Wikipedia

contrariansmind.com

facebook.com/contrariansmind

twitter.com/contrariansmind

linkedin.com/in/jeffrobinsoniac

plus.google.com/+JeffRobinsoncontrariansmind

quora.com/Jeff-Robinson

become a great conversationalist in 7 easy steps

Self Improvement