How to Have a Great Conversation

A great conversation is a wonderful way to get to know someone better. Whether you have just met someone or you are making an effort to learn more about a coworker or client, it helps if you can be a conversationalist. Here are some tips about how to get the talk flowing.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Be interesting. The first step in having a great conversation is to work on yourself. You need to have a wealth of knowledge to draw on to make the conversation last. The more information you have to draw on, the better your conversation will be.

2. Be interested. Make sure that the person you are talking to is important to you. If you really aren't interested in the person you are talking to, you can't have a great conversation.

3. Listen. Believe it or not, more of your conversation skills actually fall into the listening category than the talking category. If you follow what the other person is talking about, it intensifies the conversation.

4. Communicate clearly. Make sure that the person can hear and understand you well. For example, it is hard to have a good conversation in a loud club.

5. Use your nonverbal communication skills. Make sure you are making eye contact with the person and your whole body is facing them. This shows interest and keeps your mind from wandering.

6. Watch for non-verbal cues. If the other person is checking their watch or scanning the crowd, move on. You don't want to try to drag out a dead conversation.

Tips & Warnings

• Be flexible. You might not know much about a topic. Don't try to steer the conversation away from that topic, but rather ask questions and learn more about the topic.
• Your right ear actually has a direct line into the language center of the brain. If you are having a hard time hearing, cock your head to the left so that your partner’s voice is going right into your ear.
• Don't try to think of what you are going to say next while the person is talking. It is rude and you might miss what they are saying.
• Never interrupt someone else. It is a conversation killer.