The Mel Robbins Podcast How to Communicate With Confidence & Ease (From Harvard Business School’s #1 Professor)
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Oct 30, 2025 
In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Alison Wood Brooks, a Harvard Business School professor and communication expert, shares her secrets to effective conversation. She explores the biggest barrier to connection—egocentrism—and introduces her four-part TALK framework to enhance discussions. Alison offers practical tips like preparing topics to reduce anxiety and the importance of active listening to build rapport. Discover how levity and kindness can transform conversations, making them engaging and meaningful in both personal and professional settings.
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Conversation As A Coordination Game
- Conversations are a sequence of tiny coordination decisions that shape every relationship over time.
- Small improvements in each conversation compound to transform work, family, and love life.
Egocentrism Undermines Connection
- The biggest barrier to good conversation is egocentrism and poor perspective-taking.
- Conversation is co-constructed, so you must focus on the other person instead of only yourself.
Prep Topics Before Meetings Or Dates
- Prep topics for meetings, dates, and family time; even 30 seconds helps.
- Topic prep reduces anxiety, increases fluency, and gives ready backups when conversations lag.
