Starting a conversation with a stranger can be challenging. You often end up having dull and formulaic responses.
As an introvert, the worst nightmare is to set about a conversation with a socially skilled person. The one wrong attempt can make your future conversations dreadful and inhibit you from saying something. But a little practice early on can give you an edge over someone skillful.
Jumping into the conversation right away after it started is a wrong move and can leave you with a worse experience, but Preston Ni, communication coach and instructor in communication studies at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, California has come up with some great tactics that you can employ to make any conversation engaging.
He goes on to explain that introverts when struggling with keeping the conversation alive have mainly two issues they experience.
First, in the middle of a conversation, their energy begins to wane.
Second, they struggle to speak up in an ongoing conversation because of thought block.
Let’s dive into an article to find out what he recommends to be a great conversationalist.
He wants introverts to brainstorm
At the beginning of conversation, Preston Ni advises introverts to brainstorm a little bit. Brainstorming helps introverts to organize their mental clutter before jumping into any discussion. It may take some time but he cautioned ” Not to take too much extra time otherwise you might get buried under the response of another person and this can create an awkward silence”.
He suggests, in order to leave a mark throughout the conversation, you can buy some time that will give you enough space to organize your thoughts. Without saying something abruptly, you can ponder over your thoughts.
Rather than feeling pressured to respond quickly, you can say things like “Give me a moment, I want to be very clear with what I’m about to say…”, “Let me think for a moment…”, “Give me a second to think this through…to bridge the gap between the thinking and saying.
Take your time and brainstorm. I am sure you will come up with some of the best responses for keeping your conversation alive.
He wants introverts to practice active listening
The first step to having a great conversation on any topic is to give priority to actively listen something. The more you listen, the conversation will be engaging and you will formulate better follow-up questions.
Show genuine interest in the responses you receive. It is the best way to cut through all the noise that your mind is holding and lead you to better and more thoughtful answers.
Preston Ni insists that active listening makes you more candid in discussions. Consequently, this will help you flex your own presence in discussions and assert your voice formally.
By listening carefully, you will have a unique perspective. Bringing your own viewpoints to the table can make communication strong and add valuable diversity to the conversation.
Read more– How to get rid of toxic people
He wants introverts to stay calm and composed
Staying calm during a conversation is regarded as a skill which everyone should master. Introverts are known for their calmness. Remaining calm in a situation is often mistaken for shyness and lack of confidence. But it can be a way to project your strengths.
Preston Ni recommends introverts to stay calm and composed. This will make them better communicator and rather than sounding cocky and arrogant, they will project their confidence fondly.
He wants introverts to speak with authority
No matter how many times your mind holds you back from speaking. At starting, you may feel hesitant to speak but as introverts open themselves up for discussion, they speak incessantly.
Preston Ni says that they need to exhibit the same kind of behaviour throughout the conversation. This way they are more likely to shed off their quality of being shy.
Ensure your voice is steady and audible. Speaking at a moderate pace with a clear tone can project confidence while maintaining calmness.
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