Asking open questions is a great technique for rapport-building and connection. An open question is a question that gives the recipient the opportunity to express themselves: for example “what’s your favorite thing about living here?” or “how did you get inspired to work on that project?” (One reason why so many conversations stall out in … Read more
Cold reading is a statement or guess about someone that is based on a very limited amount of information about them. It often comes in the form of a “high-probability guess.” Psychics use cold reads all the time: [To someone who arrived right on time for their appointment] “You are a very conscientious and detail-oriented person, … Read more
Most important is the ability to suspend your assumptions. When you enter into another culture that is not familiar to you, or when speaking with someone who comes from a different background, they probably do not share many of your assumptions about the world. Everything is potentially on the table: from huge philosophical issues like gender … Read more
Overthinking, excessive planning, and hesitation are all related. They all involve taking ourselves out of the moment and into our worries and anxieties. This internal mental and emotional conflict undercuts your communication effectiveness. Communication, whether one-to-one or one-to-thousands, is fundamentally a form of connection with someone. When you get lost in your insecurities and worries about “am I … Read more