5 Ways To Improve Your Conversation Skills To Build Deeper Connections
We can all learn to become effective conversationalists
I couldn’t help overhearing them. It wasn’t what they were saying I found captivating; more how they were responding to each other. Or, rather — how they weren’t responding to each other.
The first lady described a horrific-sounding, fatal vehicle collision. Her granddaughter knew one of the deceased. This lady expressed her shock and disbelief. I could tell by her tone of voice how shaken she was.
When there was a pause, the second lady jumped in with a “that sounds like …” story. She gave an account of a vehicle collision involving someone close to her many years ago. I sensed this was her attempt at reaching out and showing support, but she missed the mark.
I squirmed in my seat. The first lady was seeking connection, empathy, and comfort. The second lady might have thought she was giving this by verbalizing a comparable story. But by doing so, she didn’t appear to listen. She changed the subject to herself. She didn’t ask any follow-up questions, and she…