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Active listening contributes to being a good conversationalist.
Have you ever found yourself in a conversation where you completely zoned out because it was just too boring? Maybe you’ve even been the one to bore others with your own conversations. If you want to be someone who people love to speak with, you need to learn how to never be boring in conversation. Here are some tips to help you improve your conversational skills!
1. Be genuinely interested
People love to talk about their passions and interests. If you want to make conversations interesting, you need to be eager to learn and hear about what other people have to say. One way to show interest is by asking thoughtful questions that delve deeper into their points of view. This helps promote a genuine exchange of ideas and perspectives between you and your conversation partner.
2. Share your own stories and experiences
Conversations aren’t supposed to be one-sided. It’s not a monologue, it’s not a presentation, it’s a dialogue. Don’t be afraid to share your own unique experiences and stories. This will add more dimension to the conversation and allow the other person to get to know you better as well. Be mindful, however, not to turn the conversation solely to focus on yourself.
3. Listen actively
Active listening is an essential part of being a good conversationalist. It’s important to pay attention to what the other person is saying, and not just pretend to listen while you’re already thinking about what to say next. Active listening also involves being empathetic and understanding, which in turn allows for a more enjoyable conversation experience.
4. Keep your conversations relevant and diverse
To avoid monotony in your conversations, try to keep them varied and relevant. Topics can range from politics, sports, entertainment, books, music, and so on. However, you should remember that you need to be mindful of your tone and content, so that it is appropriate to the person with whom you are talking.
5. Engage in some humor
Humor can truly enhance conversations as it adds lightness, energy and fun. As long as your type of humor is appropriate to the conversation and the person you are speaking with, you will be able to ease tensions and help people loosen up. Nonetheless, be mindful that humor is not used to brush off or minimize someone’s struggles or feelings, as you might come off as insensitive.
6. Show respect and positivity
Being rude, judgmental, or negative can ruin any conversation. Therefore, it is crucial to approach conversations with a positive and respectful attitude. By doing so, people will feel comfortable opening up to you and sharing their thoughts and feelings. Avoid comments that might alienate people, and be the one who keeps the conversation on track.
In conclusion, being interesting in conversation is not rocket science. Showing genuine interest, sharing stories, actively listening, keeping topics diverse, engaging in humor and respecting others are simple yet powerful tools to be engaging and never seem boring. By applying these techniques, you can be assured that your conversations will become more enjoyable and enriched, and that you will also increasingly become the kind of person whom people love to talk to.
