How To Have The Perfect Conversation😎💬

The most important social skill that a person can have is the ability not to talk eloquently, but effectively. We talk to our friends about daily life, talk to our colleagues about new ideas and talk to strangers about different topics, all in hope of attaining something useful. But what most people don't know is that the only way to get something meaningful from a random conversation is to start having practical and constructive conversations. Constructive conversations are not something that you can prepare for, neither is it something that you can achieve by simply smiling and nodding your head. Constructive conversations are never coerced, they just happen. They are so much more than two people shouting random sentences at the same place. Constructive conversations can win hearts, they can help you in getting a successful career, and they also have the power to determine how you make or break your social, professional, or personal life. So here are five tips to have a perfect awkward-proof constructive conversation with anyone and at any time 😄

Rule 1 - You can't have a conversation alone

Most of us like the idea of being in control of the conversation i.e. doing all the talking part. But what we need to remember is that conversations aren't a promotional opportunity. They are meant to be two-sided honest discussions on a topic of interest. During a conversation, try to be self-effacing and modest in your behavior and give your partner the space to realize that they can ease up to you and be much more honest in their opinion. They need to feel like you are not just some stranger that they met at a party, you are someone with whom they can connect and relate without any difficulty.

Rule 2 - Ask open-ended questions

When we ask someone complicated questions, we usually get complicated answers which lead to boring and complicated conversations. So, it's always better to take the shortcut and ask open-ended questions starting from - who, what, when, where, why, or how. When you ask simple questions you get simple answers. This way not only does the conversation keeps going but it also becomes quite easy and engaging to follow, and before you know, BOOM, you have had an interesting conversation.

Rule 3 - Don't just listen, understand

Most of us have this habit of multitasking while having a conversation. On one hand, we are talking about the ups and downs of the stock market but on the other hand, we are desperately choosing between whether to have white pasta tonight or red pasta. You can't have a constructive conversation if you're half in and half out. You either need to be totally in or totally out, otherwise, you may land yourself in an awkward position one too many times and end up embarrassing yourself. And if for example, an amazing topic strikes you in the middle of a conversation, and your friend just keeps going on and on and on, try to store that topic for later and focus more on staying in the present...believe me, it's NOT going to be easy.

Stephen Covey - "Most of us don't listen with the intent to understand. We listen with the intent to reply."

Rule 4: Make The Long Story Short

Do you remember that friend earlier, the one that never stopped talking? Well, what if you were that person? While having a conversation, it's always best to stay out of the details as much as possible because honestly, people don't care about the details, all they care about is the climax of the story, the exciting part when everything happens. You need to stop rephrasing sentences, again and again, because that doesn't sound emphatic, that just looks like you have nothing more to say. Try to get the message across in a different way, using examples and experiences, people are bound to remember it much more easily that way.

Rule 5: Always Be Prepared To Be Amazed

Bill Nye once said - "Everyone you will ever meet knows something that you don't." I couldn't agree with him more. Never be so stuck on your belief that you fail to see things from a new perspective. Every second of our life can be a learning opportunity, but only if we are willing to learn. Everyone is an expert in something. Knowledge can be gained from the weirdest of places, so what's the harm in giving it a try?😄

Many of you reading this might have already had good conversations, whether it was with your friend, your sibling, your boss...anyone. A good conversation is bound to set you free. It can leave you inspired and exhilarated, excited and motivated, but most importantly, it will leave you truthful and honest, not only to yourself but also to others. And that's the unimaginable power of a good conversation. So from now on, let's stop blabbering and start talking. And as rightly said by the author Annika Thor - "A conversation is so much more than words: a conversation is eyes, smiles and the silences between the words."