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cover of episode 169. Don't Be a ZQ: Make Your Conversations Count

169. Don't Be a ZQ: Make Your Conversations Count

2024/11/19
logo of podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques
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A
Alison Wood Brooks
哈佛商学院谈判和对话专家，研究对话心理学和情绪影响
M
Matt Abrahams
Topics
Matt Abrahams 认为有效的沟通需要以目标为导向，并对闲聊在建立联系方面的作用感到好奇。他倾向于通过提问和观察开启对话，并重视事先准备以应对闲聊。Alison Wood Brooks 则将闲聊比作寻宝游戏，强调其在寻找更深层次话题中的作用。她提出了“话题金字塔”模型，认为对话应该从闲聊开始，逐步深入到中等话题和深度交流。她还强调了倾听的重要性，并建议通过积极的回应和回顾来表明自己正在倾听。

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The chapter explores the core elements of a good conversation, emphasizing the importance of connection and the challenge of starting conversations, especially small talk.
  • People want to feel connected, loved, alive, and productive in conversations.
  • Small talk is a necessary starting point but should not be avoided; it can lead to meaningful interactions.
  • The dread of small talk is widespread but can be managed by reframing it as a treasure hunt for meaningful topics.

Shownotes Transcript

​​ What makes a great conversation?

“Many of us dread small talk,” says Harvard Business School professor and author Alison Wood Brooks). Yet she believes these everyday exchanges are the gateway to deeper connection and opportunity. An expert in the science of conversation, Wood Brooks, teaches a popular course titled Talk and has spent years researching what makes a great conversation. "Big things often start with small talk," she notes. "It’s not about avoiding it; it’s about knowing how to use it to uncover something meaningful."In this LinkedIn Live episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart), Wood Brooks joins host Matt Abrahams to share a practical framework for mastering small talk and making it enjoyable, even for those who loathe it. Drawing from her "topic pyramid" approach, Wood Brooks breaks down how to elevate a conversation from mundane chitchat to something memorable. “Think of it as a treasure hunt,” she suggests. “Small talk is where you start looking for golden nuggets that can lead to deeper engagement.”

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Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction

  • (02:05) - What Makes a Good Conversation?

  • (04:24) - The Topic Pyramid

  • (07:05) - Preparation for Small Talk

  • (09:21) - Remembering Conversation Details

  • (10:59) - Asking Too Many Questions

  • (12:52) - Conversation Goals and Contexts

  • (16:46) - Virtual vs In-Person Conversations

  • (18:35) - The Importance of Listening

  • (22:29) - Think Fast Talk Smart Premium

  • (23:47) - Conclusion