Member-only story
10 Fatal Mistakes that Kill Conversations
And how to avoid them.
Think about the people you enjoy talking to most. They make everyone feel better — a little smarter, a little calmer.
Now think about the ones you enjoy talking to least. It feels like a chore. The entire time, you just want it to end.
Afterward, you need a drink.
A good conversationalist is a good listener. They’re responsive. The best conversations have a few things in common — a mix of funny stories, factoids, anecdotes, observations, and questions. Or if they’re serious, they show sincerity and respect. That’s pretty much it.
A good conversation is simple, and it’s actually not hard with a little practice. You don’t have to light everyone’s minds up with witty banter. You don’t have to be a conversation genius.
In fact, trying to is what normally kills conversation.
Mainly, you just have to avoid irritating people. Like great conversations, the worst ones also have a handful of things in common — usually it’s someone using conversation as a means to another end.
1. Trying too hard to get something out of it
The worst thing you can do in a conversation is push an agenda. People know when you’re…
