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Let's have a (Better) Conversation!

 When was the last time you had a conversation where you walked away thinking, "Wow, that was productive." For many, you might not remember a time like this. As for me, I try to learn and take away something from every conversation in which I am involved in, and Celeste Headlee wants you to do the same. 

Celeste Headlee, an award-winning journalist, author, and accomplished speaker shares advice on how to act, and how to carry a conversation more professionally.  Many people, including myself before watching this video, think they know how to properly talk and listen during a conversation, when in reality it is way more than just talking and listening that goes into this proper conversation. 

Celeste Headlee is ultimately teaching the viewer how to "interview" someone they are talking to. Now many of us have had productive, engaging, moving conversations that leave you thinking and wondering why every conversation can't go as smooth as that. Well, in fact, all conversations can go just like that, and Celeste Headlee explains how. She lines out 10 basic rules and explains why each is important to maintain a healthy conversation. 

Although Headlee urges us all to focus on all these 10 rules, she also has a common theme of telling the viewer to choose one skill and master it before moving onto the next. Here, I am going to focus on 3 major rules Headlee mentions in order to develop better listening and conversational skills:

1.) Don't Multitask- Be Present. When in conversation, don't be thinking about what you are going to make for dinner when you get home, what to get at the grocery store at night, etc. It doesn't only do a disservice to yourself, but also to others if you are half in or half out of a conversation. Be all in.

2.) If you don't know, say you don't know. When I think of this, I tend to think of Joe Rogan who hosts a podcast and has conversations with thousands of people. Whenever he is unfamiliar on a certain topic, he always stops the person and asks what he or she is talking about. This helps later in conversation if it is brought up again. Now, you will be able to carry a conversation due to your enhanced knowledge. Always air on the side of caution.

3.) Listen. This may be the most important, yet simple rule in order to have a better conversation. Listening may be the most important skill to develop. It does take effort and a fair amount of energy to pay attention to someone even if you are not interested, but I always remind myself that everyone always knows something you do not. Listen with the intent to understand. "No man ever listened his way out of a job" - Calvin Coolidge. 

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