Most of us think conversation is about taking turns.
You speak, I speak.
Like a relay race, where the baton is “having your say.”
But real conversation isn’t about that.
Here are three questions to yourself that you can keep in your back pocket:
Listen more. Talk less.
You don’t always need to have an opinion.
You don’t always need to add your voice.
You speak, I speak.
Like a relay race, where the baton is “having your say.”
But real conversation isn’t about that.
- It’s about change.
- It’s about walking away wiser than when you came in.
- It’s truly hearing others.
- It’s about listening, asking, and growing.
The truth is, we rarely listen.
We trade stories, opinions, and experiences without really taking them in.
We’re too busy preparing our next point, our next story, our next “I know better” line.
We trade stories, opinions, and experiences without really taking them in.
We’re too busy preparing our next point, our next story, our next “I know better” line.
What if you pressed pause on all that — and just listened?
Not idle listening, but active listening. The kind that’s engaged, curious, and open.
Here’s a challenge: join a conversation only with questions.
Don’t add your own story.
Don’t argue your side.
Just ask.
You’ll be surprised where it takes you.
Don’t add your own story.
Don’t argue your side.
Just ask.
You’ll be surprised where it takes you.
Here are three questions to yourself that you can keep in your back pocket:
1. I don’t agree — but why does she think that? What’s behind it? Is there something I haven’t seen? Even if I disagree, is there a piece of truth here that can help us?
2. What drives this person? What do they need, or fear? What’s their situation as they come into this conversation? Who is the human being behind the words?
3. And what about me? What’s driving me right now? What am I trying to gain — or avoid? Am I being truly objective?
Listen more. Talk less.
You don’t always need to have an opinion.
You don’t always need to add your voice.
Sometimes your silence is the most generous contribution of all.
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