Totally Booked with Zibby Alison Wood Brooks, TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves
Jan 21, 2025
Alison Wood Brooks, O'Brien Associate Professor at Harvard Business School, is a leading authority on conversation science. She discusses the critical elements of meaningful dialogue, emphasizing the roles of kindness and humor. The conversation explores effective techniques like open-ended questions and personal anecdotes that strengthen interpersonal connections. Brooks highlights the importance of using names in conversations to foster closeness and advocates for teaching conversational skills in schools, promoting emotional intelligence in children.
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Twin Insights
- Alison Wood Brooks, the author, is an identical twin, which influenced her interest in conversation.
- Observing her twin's interactions provided her with unique insights and feedback.
Myth of Naturalness
- People often feel deficient compared to charismatic individuals, assuming charisma is innate.
- However, charisma is developed through effort and experience, not inherent naturalness.
Conversation Prep
- Prepare for conversations, even casual ones, by considering topics and your partner's interests.
- This reduces anxiety, leads to richer discussions, and helps land on mutually engaging subjects.