{"id":2178,"date":"2021-03-06T17:17:46","date_gmt":"2021-03-07T01:17:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petergibb.org\/?p=2178"},"modified":"2021-03-06T17:17:46","modified_gmt":"2021-03-07T01:17:46","slug":"how-do-you-begin-a-conversation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petergibb.org\/how-do-you-begin-a-conversation\/","title":{"rendered":"How do you begin a conversation?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Shifting<\/p>\n

Shifting Gears. You feel it, that moment of transition, when the time is right. You’ve said “Hello.” Now what? How do you begin a conversation? Both what you talk about and how you say it, begin to set the stage for the conversation.<\/p>\n

Beginning Remarks<\/h2>\n

By the time you begin this transition, maybe only seconds or a minute or so into the conversation, there’s already an underlying tone. Friendly? Suspicious? Open? Guarded? Interested? Impatient? Eager? Reluctant? Already a lot going on. That’s the nature of human interaction. So if you want to be a mindful conversationalist, it’s good to pay attention to how you’re feeling. And pay attention to signals (often non-verbal) that you pick up from the other(s).<\/p>\n

I like musical analogies, like when the music has just started. You’re about to dance, but it’s unclear exactly how. Will this be fast or slow, tight or loose. When starting a conversation, we are typically looking for common ground, where to begin.\u00a0 What might be a good topic? Shall we make small talk, or dive in? Who are you, anyway?<\/p>\n

What’s your Conversational Style?<\/h3>\n

We all have a conversational bias (for a FREE analysis of your default style, take the Conversational Style Guide and get your personal report here)\u00a0 https:\/\/survey.alchemer.com\/s3\/5989413\/2681f8b66af2\u00a0 <\/a><\/p>\n

Some people are more inclined to start with a question. So they tend toward the “listener” end of the listener \/ speaker spectrum. Others are more inclined to start off with a statement. These folk are more inclined toward speaking. But the skillful conversationalist may employ both modes weaving them together in myriad patterns. Where are you more comfortable? Speaker or listener?<\/p>\n

Whichever mode you choose, you’re searching for common ground. A lot, of course, depends on the circumstances and how well you know this person.<\/p>\n

Listener vs Speaker<\/h3>\n

If you’re more of a listener, some typical opening questions might be:<\/p>\n