How To Become A Better Conversationalist In Just 3 Easy Steps
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
2 min read
Proper Listening
(1) Meaning: Listening means paying full attention to what the other person is saying without interrupting or thinking about your response.
(2) Importance: It shows respect, helps you gather information, and creates a connection with the speaker.
Proper Understanding
(1) Meaning: Understanding involves not only hearing the words but grasping the message, emotions, and context behind them.
(2) Importance: It prevents misunderstandings, allows empathy, and shows you genuinely care about the other person’s perspective.
Proper Responding
(1) Meaning: Responding means giving a thoughtful and relevant reply that addresses what the other person has said.
(2) Importance: It keeps the conversation flowing, encourages further discussion, and demonstrates your engagement.
(3) When To Cut Off Someone In A Conversation: We should never cut off someone unnecessarily when they're speaking; it should only be done in the following cases when the conversation is no longer constructive:
(A) Incorrect Information: If a person shares incorrect information or makes inaccurate statements, correct them there itself and guide the conversation in the right direction.
(B) Irrelevant Topics: If a person starts talking about unrelated topics, point out the shift and bring the conversation back to the main topic.
(C) Unnecessary Repetition: If a person keeps repeating the same points, summarize them and move the conversation forward.
Practical Example
Let's take the example of you and your friend having a conversation about their favorite movies for better understanding.
(1) Proper Listening: You’re chatting with a friend about their favorite movies. To properly listen, you set aside distractions like your buzzing phone (messages or notifications), background noise, and wandering thoughts and actively engage in the conversation. You focus on their movie recommendations without interrupting.
(2) Proper Understanding: As your friend talks about their favorite films, you not only hear the titles but also sense their enthusiasm and appreciation for storytelling. You understand that they enjoy movies not just as entertainment but as a way to connect with emotions and experiences. This understanding allows you to connect with their cinematic passion.
(3) Proper Responding: In response, you say, “I can tell you have a deep love for movies; your excitement is contagious. If you ever want to have a movie night or discuss film recommendations, count me in! I’d love to share our cinematic favorites.” Your response acknowledges their passion, invites shared experiences, and fosters an enjoyable conversation about the world of movies and entertainment.