Why Conversations Matter
Have you ever unfriended someone when they posted about something you didn’t agree with? It feels good, right? You will never have to hear from them again…..or will you?
The reality of our online world is that we like to create a space where we can control what we see and read. But in our professional or personal life, we can’t dismiss others when they disagree with us. We have to interact with people every day, whether we like them or not.
This is why conversations matter more today than ever before. The pandemic has forced most of us online, which contributes to our innate nature to avoid difficult conversations. We also live in a constantly distracted state, between our phones, laptops, streaming, kids, or whatever else is going on.
In 2022, conversations with all kinds of people in your life will matter more than ever before as we slowly emerge from the ongoing pandemic. We will need to talk to our neighbors face-to-face, discuss challenges at work, solve disagreements with family members, and reach out to others we haven’t seen in-person for two years.
So here are some tips to having better conversations:
Have a purpose
What is your goal for the conversation? Saying upfront that this is an important conversation and asking for a few undivided minutes of time can set the stage for a more successful interaction.
Use whole body participation
Eliminate distractions. This is not just about putting down your phone, you also need to clear your mind. Take a deep breath and become open to what is being said. Ask the participant to do the same.
Choose face-to-face when possible
Method is important. Not everything works well on text compared to a quick phone call. If it’s important enough, pick up the phone or meet in person.
Ask open questions
Seeking to clarify what is being said can often times lead to new details to help understand the situation from their perspective. Something like “Tell me more about this” can go along way and show that you care.
Listen without interruption
I can’t stress this enough. Use non-verbal cues like head nodding to confirm you are listening and avoid immediately responding. Thank them for sharing the information with you. Notice what else you can learn when you let them speak for most of the time.
The idea that great conversations take work is not new, but investing in 1-on-1 interviews, focus groups, or team conversations in the new year is a great way to understand where people are at in their transition to a post-pandemic world. Staying flexible and open minded to what 2022 may bring will be the key to your success, and who knows, maybe you will add a new friend or follower along the way.
