[ted id=2435]

Need better conversation skills?

Most leaders understand their number one influence tool is their conversation skills. And most of the leaders we work with wish they had better conversation skills. Celeste Headlee has been a radio host for decades, so she knows a few things about how to have a great conversation. In this insightful talk, she shares 10 useful rules for having a better conversation.

Spoiler alert… here are the 10 ways to have a better conversation:

1. Don’t multitask – be present
2. Don’t pontificate (she suggests writing a blog instead 🙂 ) “Everyone you will ever meet knows something that you don’t” (Bill Nye)
3. Ask open ended questions – start with who, what, when, where, why or how
4. Go with the flow – whatever you think of, let it go
5. If you don’t know, say that you don’t know
6. Don’t equate your experience with theirs – all experiences are individual – it is NOT about you
7. Try not to repeat yourself – it’s condescending and boring
8. Stay out of the weeds
9. LISTEN – the most important one – “If your mouth is open you’re not learning” (Buddha) – “Nobody ever listened his way out of a job” (Calvin Coolidge)
10. Be brief

Her best advice: “A good conversation is like a miniskirt – short enough to retain interest but long enough to cover the subject” (Celesete Headlee’s sister)

Check out the her TED talk here.