In both the world of engagement and communications we seek to make a connection to other people. Whether that connection is to make a sale, sell a story, or better understand the community’s perspective all of this takes skill in order to create a meaningful exchange. Here are three key tips that I have learned along the way that I find very useful to keep in your back pocket next time you are having conversations with another.
- Listen:
As a bare minimum you can’t make a case effectively if you don’t know the other side of the argument. However more than that it’s about shutting up and listening and not using the time that the other person is talking to reload and fire off your next point. Who knows you might just learn something!
- Acknowledge the value in other’s opinions, thoughts and feelings:
I want to stress that this doesn’t mean you need to agree, but just to acknowledge somebody’s right to thoughts other than yours; it’s a great place to start. I have to say that over the years, with many conversations, countless amounts of verbal conflicts have been avoided this way.
- Create a connection – Look for common ground:
Once you have worked on points one and two, this one gets a little easier. When we get into the practice of listening and respecting other’s opinions, we put ourselves in the best possible position to find common ground.
