Good Conversations From Here Onwards

Human beings are social creatures and it’s pretty clear that conversations are an essential part of our daily lives. From catching up with friends over dinner to discussing new ideas with colleagues, conversations form the building blocks of our relationships and shape our understanding of the world around us.

It’s a lot more than just words flowing from one to another. It’s to exchange ideas, share experiences, and learn from one another. Good conversations have the power to deepen our relationships, broaden our perspectives, and enhance our sense of empathy and compassion. You know those days when you come home feeling inspired after seeing someone and how all the words and ideologies exchanged were just too good or true to not ponder on? That’s the one.

Good conversations leave you feeling energised, inspired, and emotionally satisfied. It really isn’t all about small talk - the weather, traffic so on and so forth. It’s about why the weather makes you feel a certain way, what epiphanies you had while you were stuck in traffic, and everything else that goes deeper than just a surface conversation.

However, not all conversations are created equal - some leave us feeling energised and uplifted while others leave us feeling drained and frustrated. Fret not, this is completely normal where conversations don’t spark joy in you! But that doesn’t mean it couldn’t be better. Bear in mind that it takes two to tango so here are some tips on how to be better at leading good conversations:

1. Be present and listen genuinely
When you are conversing with someone, be actively engaged and respond to each other. Sure, some may be listeners but that doesn’t mean you should stay quiet the whole time. A simple “go on” or “I hear you” goes a long way. Chances are, you’d be curious to know more and you’ll find yourself asking questions and providing feedback naturally all because you are genuinely interested in what the other person is saying.

2. Mutual respect
There may be some things that you beg to differ but it’s not about proving who’s right and who’s wrong. Conversations are an open discussion and you should always feel comfortable expressing your thoughts and ideas without fear of judgment or criticism and so should the person you’re talking to.

3. Emotional resonance
A good conversation often creates an emotional resonance that lingers long after the conversation has ended. It may leave you feeling uplifted, inspired, or emotionally moved. When talking about things that hit too close to home, chances are it’ll stay with you for a bit so take your time with it and be as real as you can get.

4. New insights
Good conversations often lead to new perspectives that you may not have considered before. Tomato, tomato? Same thing, different angles. This may challenge your assumptions or expand your understanding of a particular topic. Who knows, you might come out a little different post-convo.

5. Share your own experiences
It’s natural to feel a certain way about things, especially ones that you relate to. When you share a piece of yourself with others, it creates connection and understanding. It’s perfectly fine to be vulnerable and open sometimes. If anything, you might just help the other person go about the same problem in a different light.