Communication Skills: 10 Tips From Celeste Headlee to Have Better Conversations by Bri Montoya
Celeste Headlee claims that our current cultural climate has left us more polarized than ever, and these days every conversation has the potential to lead to conflict. I think she’s spot on. Whether we are engaging in conversation via social media, in the office, around the dinner table or at the grocery store, our goal has become proving a point, winning an argument or swaying the other person to our side of the debate. The repercussion is the weakening of our connections to one another versus the strengthening of our connections.
As we strive for solutions, what can we do? Celeste offers 10 ways to improve your conversational skills:
- Don’t multitask.
- Enter conversations assuming you have something to learn.
- Use open-ended questions.
- Go with the flow.
- If you don’t know, say that you don’t know.
- Don’t equate your experience with theirs.
- Try not to repeat yourself.
- Forget the details.
- Listen.
- Be brief.
Like all things, we develop our competence through the tried-and-true act of practice, practice and more practice. I am going to start by strengthening my skills at number 6. Where do you plan to start?
This video is longer than 30 seconds, but we think it's worth it.
Take 30 seconds and join the 30Seconds community. Inspire and be inspired.
Related Products on Amazon We Think You May Like:
30Second Mobile, Inc. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
My top 3:
Begin with respect. Establish mutual respect before beginning a potentially divisive discussion. As in, "I respect how you (treat others, volunteer, coach, etc.), and I'm curious what you think about (the issue you'd like to get into).”
Also, speak from the heart. Steer your conversation toward personal experience (or factual specifics), rather than learned talking points.
And ultimately, don’t be afraid to disagree. Be an “upstander” for your ideals, even if it means creating a little awkward tension.