Curious Minds at Work CM 284: Alison Wood Brooks on the Science of Conversation
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Jan 26, 2025 
Alison Wood Brooks, a Harvard Business School professor and conversation expert, shares her insights on enhancing communication through research-backed strategies. She explains the importance of context in conversations and introduces her 'TALK' framework to help improve everyday interactions. Brooks highlights the power of asking thoughtful questions and using humor to maintain engagement. She also discusses how to manage difficult dialogues and encourages kindness and grace in every conversation, emphasizing their role in building lasting relationships.
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Conversations Are Context And Goal Driven
- Context and purpose shape every conversation through who, what, where, when, why, and how.
- Every conversation has at least one goal, so identify your purposes before you speak.
Conversation Builds Relationships Over Time
- Conversations are relationship-building: each exchange is a step toward a potential relationship.
- Think of relationships as repeated conversational games over time.
Conversation Is A Continuous Coordination Game
- Conversation is a continuous coordination game of micro decisions like when to speak or switch topics.
- We notice coordination only in moments of awkwardness like endings.
