subject: Developing Great Conversation Skills [print this page] There are opportunities to talks with people every day. These opportunities come through a variety of means including work, school, service, and so forth.
Many people feel uncomfortable in social situations. They feel that they are not very talented at holding an interesting and courteous conversation.
Often, these people do not know what to say or what would be appropriate to say. Other people can come away from a conversation without knowing what was talked about.
These feelings and occurrences are quite common throughout all ages. While it is good for people to learn conversation skills as much for themselves as for others, those who work in situations where they must talk to a lot of people should especially develop these skills.
For example, a telemarketer tries to sell a service or product to hundreds or even thousands of people a day. All of these people come from very different backgrounds and situations.
The telemarketer must be sensitive to these various backgrounds and situations. In addition, they have a matter of seconds to figure out what the background is and respond to it.
It is futile to try to sell a product with a written script that is read exactly the same to everyone. By doing this, the telemarketer will not make nearly as many sales as if he or she developed some conversation skills.
The first thing that you should do when trying to develop conversation skill is become genuinely interested in the conversation. The only point of having a conversation is to talk to another person and to transfer information.
Some people mistake conversation as only a means to make the other person feel appreciated. However, this is a downward spiral because you are wasting your time if this is your motivation for talking as the other person can tell when you are not really listening.
When they realize that you are not listening, they will stop talking and they will leave the conversation feeling unappreciated. The only real reason for having a conversation is to learn something you did not know before or to share some information that you have with another person.
However, showing genuine interest in the transfer of information is vitally important. One of the most awkward situations is when you have nothing to talk about.
Most likely, you have experienced this eerie silence before. Developing the skill to keep a conversation going is a skill that most would like to have.
If you obtain this skill many more people will want to have a conversation with you. Simply by being able to keep the conversation you will be able to put more people at ease and help them feel more comfortable.
You usually have to know what you want to talk about when you are going to start a conversation. For most people the start of a conversation begins with a realization that they are lacking information or that someone else needs a piece of information that you have.
Another important skill to have when you are beginning the conversation is the ability to read how the other person is feeling. If they look uncomfortable with the subject, you should change the subject.
Remember that on occasion some people will not want to hold a conversation. They may be stressed, tired, or simply feeling unsocial.
Be sensitive to these feelings and talk to them another time. For a conversation to take place, both people have to be actively involved in it.
It is vitally important that you make the other person feel as comfortable as possible. If they do not feel comfortable talking to you they will not want to share the information with you that you need.
If you are the one sharing the information, they may not be open to the information if they are uncomfortable. One of the best ways to put a person at ease is to smile warmly and openly.
Of course, a creepy or eerie smile will make them feel even more uncomfortable. If you feel you have trouble smiling in an inviting and friendly manner, spend some time in front of a mirror practicing.
Smiling is another tool that you need to have in your tool kit if you are going to become socially adept. One of the best ways to put someone at ease is to tell them a little about yourself.
For all they know, you could be a murderer and they are your next victim. Help them know that they are not in any mortal danger by disclosing some of your background.
