How to be a Good Conversationalist

Important: GDPR Email Preferences

As you may already know, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will be coming into effect on 25th May 2018. We take your privacy seriously and we are working hard to ensure we comply with the new data protection laws. You can find out more about how we're doing this in our privacy policy on our website.

We want to make sure you continue to receive the latest newsletters, blogs, special offers and more.

As someone who has opted-in to receive our emails in the past, we’d like to give you this opportunity to confirm what you wish to receive:

Just so you know, if you don’t let us know what kinds of emails you want to receive from us, we’ll stop emailing you on the 24th May 2018 - you'll be missing out!

You are of course free to change your mind at any time – just follow the link at the bottom of any of our emails.

How to be a good conversationalist

To be a good conversationalist, you need to talk about only good things. By "good things" I mean the following:

1. Plans for a better future.
2. Valuable information.
3. Honest compliments.
4. Honest thanks, and appreciation.
5. Encouraging and motivational ideas and opinions.
6. Anything that is good fun and of good humour.
7. Stories of successful enterprise or the achievements of virtuous people.

1. Talk about (or ask about) plans for a better future.

People feel happier when they have reason to think that the future will be better than the past. Nowadays, there are so many people talking negatively about the future, that it is almost normal to be pessimistic and fearful.

But nobody likes to be afraid. So, be the one who talks in optimistic terms about plans for a better future.

2. Talk about BIG ideas and valuable information.

Talk about big ideas and interesting information. Don't waste time talking about the trivial and irrelevant things. Talk about science, technology, politics, religion, social issues, world events.

Make sure that what you say adds interest to the conversation.

3. Give honest compliments.

Everyone likes to receive a compliment, provided that it is an HONEST compliment.

Try giving more honest compliments by looking for, and finding, something upon which you can honestly compliment the other person.

4. Give honest thanks and appreciation.

In a similar way, everyone likes to be thanked and shown appreciation. No-one likes to be taken for granted. So be the one to give more honest thanks and appreciation to those you think have earned it.

5. Give encouraging and motivational ideas and opinions.

The world is full of demotivated people who have a negative effect on the others. Try to be the person who talks in encouraging ways, and expresses motivational thoughts and opinions. People love it.

6. Anything that is good fun and of good humour.

Be the source of good fun and good humour. Never be a grump. NOBODY likes a grump. Do you know any grumpy people? Don't be that way.

Be cheerful, even during demanding times and especially during difficult times, try to keep a sense of fun.

7. Talk about successful enterprise or the achievements of virtuous people.

Too much of today's world is driven by stories of conflict, failure and the exploits of evil people. The news is full of reports of murder, mayhem, criminality, corruption and death.

Instead, become the source of uplifting stories; talking about achievement, success and the exploits of honest, ethical people.

Being a good conversationalist involves:

Avoiding talk about:

1. Fears or predictions of a bad future.
2. Trivial or irrelevant information about things that do not contribute positively.
3. Insults or derogatory comments.
4. Berating and blaming people who are absent.
5. Discouraging or demotivational ideas and opinions
6. Bad temper or ill-humour.
7. Stories of failed enterprises or the exploits of evil people.

Instead, talking about:

1. Plans.
2. Valuable information.
3. Honest compliments.
4. Honest appreciation.
5. Encouraging ideas.
6. Good fun.
7. The achievements of virtuous people.

Quiz: Are you a positive influence on others?

Take our quiz Are you a positive influence on others? to see if you have a positive influence on other people.

Personal Development Training

Personal Development Training

In order to improve your performance, you may need to develop your personal and professional skills: meaning: skills of communication, planning, prioritisation, motivation and personal confidence. If you want to learn more, then click here for personal development training.

Blogs by Email

Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!

Your Comments

Further Reading in Communication - Clear Communication

• 3 Part Communication skills Part 3 of 3
  3 Part Communication skills: Part 3 of 3 Effective voice tones If you are a team Leader, or a manager then you would benefit if you decided to improve your communication skills. Why? Because you need other people to give to you, their best performance: Leaders need the best performance from...
  Read Article >
• Communications Skills - 50 Top Tips
  Communications Skill -50 Top Tips Communication skills list of 50 excellent one-liners to help you develop your communication skills You may want to improve your commination skills. If you do, then read the following points with a pencil in your hand and select seven of them to act as your plan...
  Read Article >
• Communication Skills Examples
  Communication Skills Examples Good communication is defined as: the accurate transfer of information and emotion. The three laws on good communication give three principles that you can apply to improve your skills as a communicator. The first law of communication Memorise this phrase: "Clarity is a virtue. Vagueness is a vice...
  Read Article >
• Improve your communication
  Communication Skills Are you looking for some training relating to communication skills? Communication is the act of transferring your mental images, ideas, information, facts and feelings into the minds of others. Some people are good at communicating. They find it easy to find the right word or phrase to capture their...
  Read Article >
• Communication skills training- how to communicate clearly
  How to communicate clearly Communication skill training is most important to you, because many people lack good communication skills. And the consequences of having poor communication skills can be serious, indeed. Poor communication skills can lead to the following painful consequences: Misunderstandings Confusion Avoidable errors Conflict and.... A poor work atmosphere...
  Read Article >