With the right approach, anyone has the ability to turn small talk into an engrossing conversation. These 10 essential rules will help.


In this talk from the TED YouTube channel, radio host Celeste Headlee shares the essential keys to becoming a good conversationalist. Headlee explains, for example, that you don’t have to show you’re paying attention (by nodding your head and smiling) if you actually focus on paying attention. You’ll also learn that you should never pontificate, and always assume you have something to learn from everyone. Here are few other key takeaways:

Ask better questions by acting like a journalist. What do they think? How do they feel about that? What else can you tell me about that?



If you don’t know something, say you don’t know. You’ll avoid looking like a fool and you’ll have something to talk about.



Never equate your experience with theirs. You may have gone through similar experiences, but nobody’s experience is ever the same.




And, the most important lesson of them all, make sure you’re listening to them and not just hearing them. The whole talk is well worth a watch, so be sure you check it out above or at the link below.

10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation | YouTube

Contact the author at patrick.allan@lifehacker.com .