Good Listening Rarely Bores Others
People don't become bored if they're actively engaged in
an activity. There are two ways to engage people in conversation: You can talk to them, or you can listen to them. Often listening is the better way to engage them and hold their interest instead of continuing to talk. To do this,
ask good questions and listen up.
"One out of three hundred and twelve Americans is a bore...
and a healthy male adult bore consumes each year one and
a half times his own weight in other people's patience."
--Novelist John Updike
When Changing the Subject
To change the subject of a conversation, ask something like
"Do you mind if I change the subject now to _____?" or "At
This time, I'd like to talk about our next meeting, OK?"
Almost everyone will grant this polite request, and it will
spare you from appearing abrupt or controlling by making
an unannounced change.
Accessing Empathy
By asking yourself one question while talking to another person,
you can often get useful information that helps you shape a more effective message. That question is:
"If I were this person, how would I be feeling and thinking about this matter?" Imagine this and you can achieve empathy.
