Thinking With Mitch Joel SPOS #973 – Alison Wood Brooks On The Science Of Great Conversations
14 snips
Mar 2, 2025 
Alison Wood Brooks, a Harvard Business School professor and author of "Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves," dives into the intricacies of human communication. She explores what makes conversations effortless versus awkward and emphasizes the value of genuine dialogue over Q&A. Topics include the significant role of AI in social interactions, the necessity of empathy, and the importance of face-to-face communication in a digital world. Brooks shares her TALK Maxims, a framework to enhance personal and professional conversations.
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Q&A vs. Conversation
- Podcast interviews often fall into a Q&A format instead of a true conversation.
- Guests may feel more comfortable answering prepared questions, while hosts seek deeper interaction.
Voyeuristic Nature of Conversations
- People are drawn to the voyeuristic aspect of conversations, observing others' interactions.
- This explains our interest in reality TV, eavesdropping, and even fictional stories.
Capturing Internal Thoughts
- To study conversations scientifically, capture internal thoughts alongside observable behaviors.
- Interrupt conversations periodically to gather real-time feedback on engagement and key moments.
