Do you recall having a conversation with someone? With anyone?
Sadly, this isn’t a lead in to a joke. Think about it.
First there is the lead in to the Covid Era – as it will be marked in history. There was already a lot of email, texting and does anyone even listen to a voicemail?
Then we have the years of the Covid Lockdown – as it will be marked in history. Zoom calls, conference calls, 24 X 7 texting and email invites all the time.
Where were the actual one-on-one conversations?
They didn’t exist!
Layer on top of the Covid Lockdown period the divisive and kryptonite effect of the USA election, fake news, unreliable tweets and edited for viewing audiences views the videos chosen for them and you have a volatile mixture.
All of which meant no one wanted to have a conversation with anyone for the fear of being on the wrong side of a view or a sensitive topic.
For the daring few their reward was often a disaster.
Best friends parted ways, families were torn apart, marriages were ended or not pursued, careers were ended and all because no one was able to remember how to have a conversation.
Let’s all try to learn to have a conversation again.
Not about the weather.
Not about the ballgame last night.
Not about the other person’s choice of footwear.
A conversation both people would actually find interesting.
First a few ground rules:
- Don’t talk about politics.
- Don’t talk about the Royal Family or the Queen if you’re in the U.K, or with people from there.
- Don’t talk about sports, especially futbol – soccer – especially if you’re traveling internationally.
These aren’t too restrictive. Fairly easy to remember.
Then jump in and talk, listen, respond – make eye contact – stop looking at your phone – turn it off and put it away.
What do we talk about you may be thinking?
Pretty much anything except as noted above.
Here are some ideas –
- What are your goals as we’re halfway through the year now?
- What are you doing for fun and relaxation these days?
- What’s getting you really excited to do each day?
The idea is to refrain from questions or topics that can be answered in a word or two. It’s a two way thing having a conversation.
Someone has to start it and then keep it moving along.
Here’s the thing, I am certain you will both feel good about having a real conversation, live and in person with someone.
Remember the more you do this the better you will be at it, and the more you give of yourself, into the conversation the more enjoyable the experience will be.
Wenkroy International LLC is a boutique consulting company with a main purpose of helping entrepreneurs and people in their business and life grow to the next levels they are capable of achieving. Through attending my engagements Speaking, leading workshops, and Coaching clarity is achieved and distractions are reduced. People are now able to focus on what matters most to them. My passion is to take people to the next level in their life and in their career and business.
Do you know I’m interviewing stroke survivors, their spouse or partner as well?
The purpose is to compile these stories in order to share the information with others. The stories will inspire others, help them with tips for handling what they are going through now and what they may face in the future. It may even become a go to resource for stroke survivors and their families.
Here’s the link if that’s you or pass on to someone you know: www.mitchtublin.com/survivors
As always share the information in this article with people you know.
