Tuesday, October 9, 2007

How To Develop Great Conversation Skills

Are you searching for ways to improve your conversation skills? Exceptional conversation skills can be learned andin this article we explore ways to improve conversation skills.While engaging in conversations with friends and co-workers, how often do you feel that the other person has truly heard what you've said? If not, you need to develop your conversation skills.If you want to succeed in social settings, relationships, and business, one way to ensure your success is to be a great listener and to master conversation skills.There are a few simple rules you can follow to help you become a better listener, therefore enhancing your conversation skills.1. Stop talking.It sounds very simplistic but if you are constantly talking, how can others express themselves? Make an effort to shift the focus of the conversation to the other person.There is more to conversation skills than talking...Be aware of your own body language. Match the other person's body language by leaning forward when they lean forward, etc.Attention to small details will give the person you are speaking with a feeling that you truly hear what they are saying and that you are genuinely interested in their opinions. This is a secret of good conversation skills.2. Pay attention to the tone of your voice.Even if you are only giving brief answers or asking short questions, the tone of your voice plays a major part in communicating effectively and displaying good conversationskills.If your tone suggests a condescending attitude, boredom, or anger, you will lose your audience and people will no longer want to spend time speaking with you or listening to what you have to say.Superior conversation skills are based on mutual respect.A respectful, preferably friendly tone will allow you to communicate efficiently and earn you the respect of others.3. In order to move the conversation forward, ask questions to clarify or invite additional information. Questions indicate that you are fully attentive to what is being said and that you have a real interest in the speaker's views.Give your full attention to the speaker. When you show others that you want to hear them, they will automatically grant you the same courtesy. Do this and your conversation skills will improve.4. Engage in light, pleasant conversation as often as you engage in meaningful, direct conversation.If you always guide the conversation in the direction of achieving your goal, you will leave the impression of distance and a superior attitude. This is not a hallmark of great conversation skills.People want to feel appreciated and unique. Make a point to address each person you encounter and do so in a positive, friendly manner. Conversation skills include treating others as you would like to be treated.Good conversation skills include much more than simply speaking with others. Listening, good body language, questioning, pleasantries, and mutual respect are important elements in any conversation and are also personality traits exhibited by successful people.
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How To Start A Good Conversation

Good conversation is an important skill in almost everysituation. Whether it's on the job, with spouse orchildren, in a social setting or everyday life, goodconversation is important.It's the way we communicate with others and often is thenthe way we are seen or perceived by others. Good conversation is based on a sensitivity to others. Good conversation therefore is a learnable skill once you pay more attention to others.Developing good conversation skills will allow you to feel more at ease when conversing with others and will help you say what you really want to convey.1. Think about your tone, for good conversation it should be pleasing, not too loud or too soft.If you are talking too loudly you might be considered anunpleasant conversationalist and who will want to talk toyou? Good conversation requires you to be agreeable.If you are speaking too softly and people have to strain tohear you, they might get tired of trying to listen. This will of course prevent a good conversation developing.2. Think about some things you might need or want to saybefore you are at that job interview or party if you want toensure a good conversation.It will be helpful to think this through and even practiceout loud. You will come across as being confident andintelligent. You can almost guarantee good conversationby preparing thoroughly in advance of the event.3. Don't feel you need to dominate in order to have a good conversation.Even if you are quite charming it won't be long beforeothers are weary of hearing the same voice. Good conversation does not mean taking over the conversation!Keep this in mind and it will be easier to have a good conversation4. How will you handle unpleasant conversations?Remember not conversations start off looking like a potential good conversation. What will you do if you are criticized or if someonedisagrees with you? Think of ways to face thesesituations before they happen.To have a good conversation you need to be flexible andbe ready to handle difficulties that crop up. The art of having good conversation does not mean everything goes smoothly at all times.If you can remain calm and fairly pleasant during the toughtalks you will improve and acquire good conversation skills. Youwill also earn a reputation as someone who can easily be talkedto.5. Think of your last embarrassing conversation, one that was theopposite of a good conversation.How did you do? Could there be improvement? If the answeris "yes" begin by figuring out why the conversationwas embarrassing. This will help you to develop good conversation skills.Let's say someone asked you when you are planning to havechildren. Even though this may not be anyone's business howdo you want to respond?You do have choices. You can be funny, charming, rude orelusive. Again, plan ahead for some of these questions anddecide how you want to react.As you learn how to start a good conversation and find themmore of the time you can have good conversation your confidencewill soar and you will get better and better.6. One of the most important parts of good conversation islistening. It's a gift and a skill, one that you candevelop if it doesn't come easily for you. Good conversationis impossible without good listening skills.Don't forget to listen because it is essential for good conversation skills! Neglect this key skill and it will bevirtually impossible to have a good conversation.Good conversation is a learnable skill so keep at it andyou will improve. The only way to fail is to expect good conversation to happen without any work on your part.
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