6 Tips for Becoming a Compelling Conversationalist

It was impossible to get a conversation going, everybody was talking too much. – Yogi Berra

I recently came across an interesting article: “Six Habits of the Best Conversationalists“, by Stephanie Vozza, and it contains many excellent insights. It started me thinking about some of the very best conversationalists that I’ve ever met.

Paul was the CFO at my last corporate position. He was originally from South Africa and worked extensively in Europe and then came to the US for other opportunities.

He was technically an excellent chief financial officer and was widely respected for his contributions during a complex international merger.

He had sharp elbows politically, but everyone agreed that you wanted to sit at his table during a meal because he was a sparkling conversationalist.

Vozza’s article and my reflection on Paul got me to thinking more about conversations.

In many regards, having a good conversation is like playing catch. To enjoy playing catch you have to be sure that the ball stays in motion. To keep a conversation moving and the connection that goes along with it, like playing catch, you must avoid the following:

Dropping the Ball: Shutting Down or Interrupting the Conversation

1. This can happen when we ask “yes or no” questions which can stop the flow of the discussion.
2. Missing or overlooking unresponsiveness or negative body language on the part of the listener which conveys they are not really enjoying the conversation or tracking with you.
3. Being distracted while the listener responds by looking at our smartphone or laptop rather than paying attention to them.

Overthrowing the Ball: Disrupting the Conversation

1. Using jargon that makes it hard for the listener to follow.
2. Going off on unrelated tangents that pulls the listener away from the topic at hand.

Using Vozza’s list of habits, I have provided 6 suggestions for becoming a compelling conversationalist, and keeping the ball in play:

1. Listen more than you talk

Being a good conversationalist is much more about being a good listener rather than being a good speaker.

When you’re talking you’re in control; you’re guiding the conversation where you want it.

The problem is that people speak on the average between 125 – 175 words per minute, but we listen at up to 450 words per minute. That gap can be a dead space where we can think more about what we are going to say in response rather than pay attention to the speaker.

Can we refuse to stop listening and concentrate fully on the speaker? Can we ask questions in response that allows the speaker to expand on their message, improve our understanding and gain insight about their passion for what they are conveying?

2. Don’t always interject your experiences

The conversation should not be an opportunity for self-promotion for either party. This is not the right time to interject your own experiences if it seems like you are engaging in one-upsmanship, topping their experience with one of yours.

It’s okay to relate an experience that will reinforce their message or shows that you empathize with what they’re saying, but it’s important that this does not seem like a competition.

3. Admit what you don’t know

A good conversationalist is never too never afraid to admit they don’t know something.

Ask for clarification if you’re not sure about a phrase, word or the context of something because it really shows that you are invested in comprehending what the other person is saying.

That’s a very strong message that reinforces the balance of the conversation.

4. Be well read

People that are well read can often be referred to as a “person of interest”. They stay informed on a wide variety of topics and introduce other relevant ideas or stories. This allows both parties to expand the platform of understanding and to reinforce shared experiences or beliefs.

I recently had a conversation about a business topic with a fellow I met through a mutual friend. We realized we were both fans of Michael Lewis who wrote both The Big Short and Flash Boys.

This enhanced our connection.

5. Look for cues

They drink in the whole person to reveal their message. They constantly look for cues during a discussion. They are definitely listening to the words but they’re also getting messages from the vocal intonations of the other, as well as their nonverbal behavior or body language.

They say that the eyes are the window to the soul and reactions to what others say are reflected in the eyes and facial reactions and provide very telling information.

6. Let go of the details

When a speaker seems to forget a place or name and seems to rack their brain for elusive minor details, spending time on what are not critical items to keep the conversation going, it can disrupt their message and the experience of the listener.

Good conversationalists are willing to skip ahead to what really matters.

It is often said the less is more in telling a story. Forget the clever asides or references that are only interesting to you.

—

Ask yourself when engaging in a conversation:

• Do I seek to understand more than I seek to be understood?
• Have I mastered the art of asking insightful questions to move the conversation along?
• Do I consciously seek to reduce distractions so I can concentrate on our dialogue?

I look forward to your thoughts and comments.

Photo Credit: U.S. Army / CC