10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation

Your career may hinge on how well you can communicate with others.  The gift of language can be an awesome tool in the workplace but most of us don’t converse very well when it boils down to it.  Decreased interpersonal skills due to digital communication has compromised some on the art of conversation.  Why are people losing their ability to have meaningful discussions and what guidelines can help you experience better conversations?

As a seasoned NPR radio talk show host and reporter, Celeste Headlee has worked for decades to hone her craft and knows the ingredients of a great conversation.  She meets people from all walks of life each day and although she doesn’t agree with everyone’s viewpoints, she doesn’t let this hold her back from engaging in great conversations.  So what makes for a great conversation?  Headlee suggests honesty, brevity, clarity and a healthy amount of listening are key to communicating effectively and efficiently with others.  In her TED Talk she shares 10 useful rules for having better conversations including the suggestion to “Go out, talk to people, and listen to people” as well as “the importance of give your fellow conversationalists your undivided attention.”

How will you use this information to communicate in your workplace and inspire employees to engage more effectively?

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