Join Alison Wood Brooks, a Harvard Business School professor and conversation expert, as she shares insights from her book, *Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves*. Discover how preparing conversation topics can transform small talk into meaningful exchanges. Alison advocates for curiosity in social interactions and explains that the skillful management of topics is crucial for engaging dialogues. Learn how even the simplest conversations can lead to deeper connections, making you a more effective communicator.
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insights INSIGHT
Conversation Importance
Good conversations are essential for strong relationships.
We often struggle with conversations, even seemingly easy ones.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Topic Preparation
Prepare conversation topics in advance, even briefly.
This reduces anxiety and helps land on mutually interesting subjects.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Resistance to Topic Prep
Many people resist topic preparation, believing it makes conversations feel forced.
However, those same people often enjoy conversations where others used prepared topics.
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Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves
Alison Wood Brooks
This book, written by Harvard Business School professor Alison Wood Brooks, delves into the complex and delicate task of conversation. It highlights how conversations can be a source of joy and connection, yet are often fraught with misinterpretation and misunderstanding. Brooks introduces the TALK Maxims—Topics, Asking, Levity, and Kindness—to help readers better understand, learn from, and delight each other in conversations. The book covers various aspects of conversation, including managing emotions, sparking creativity, navigating conflict, and being more inclusive, making it a thoughtful guide for improving relationships and leading a more purposeful life.
Alison Wood Brooks: Talk
Alison Wood Brooks is the O’Brien Associate Professor of Business Administration and Hellman Faculty Fellow at the Harvard Business School, where she created and teaches a course called TALK. As a behavioral scientist, she is a leading expert on the science of conversation and her research was referenced in two of the top ten most-viewed TED talks and depicted in Pixar’s Inside Out 2. She is the author of Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves*.
Conversations are the venues where leaders do so much of their work. We all know someone who always can keep a conversation interesting and relevant. In this episode, Alison and I discuss how a key tactic can help you towards more meaningful conversations.
Key Points
Healthy relationships are critical for success, and relationships are about talking.
Good conversation is both instinct and deliberate effort. Preparing topics in advance improves conversation immensely.
Topics for conversation can be sourced from almost anywhere and help even if we don’t use those topics.
Good topic management is more important than the right topic. The best conversationalists know when to shift.
Small talk in an essential exploration ground for getting to bigger, more meaningful conversation.
Resources Mentioned
Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves* by Alison Wood Brooks
Interview Notes
Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).
Related Episodes
The Way Into Difficult Conversations, with Kwame Christian (episode 497)
How to Help Difficult Conversations Go Better, with Sheila Heen (episode 655)
How to Connect with People Better, with Charles Duhigg (episode 670)
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