

Alison Wood Brooks: The Science Behind Great Conversations
27 snips May 23, 2025
Alison Wood Brooks, a Harvard Business School professor and author of "Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves," shares valuable strategies to enhance communication. She introduces the TALK framework—Topics, Asking, Levity, and Kindness—empowering listeners to connect better. Alison highlights the role of humor for engaging conversations and offers insights on navigating social anxiety. Her practical tips make it easier for everyone, from CEOs to teenagers, to master the art of conversation in today’s noisy world.
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Overtalking from Care and Energy
- Scott Miller shares how his caring nature and high energy lead him to over-talk in social situations.
- Friends lovingly point out that his over-talking sometimes crowds out others' contributions.
Pull Back to Listen More
- People with high status and energy should practice pulling back and giving others space to speak.
- This requires relentless, intentional effort to listen and slow down in conversations.
Prep Topics Before Talking
- Spend 30 seconds before conversations prepping topics relevant to your conversation partner.
- This reduces anxiety, fills awkward silences, and makes conversations more rewarding for everyone.