Tricks for being a brilliant conversationalist

Any person who ever met Dale Carnegie, noted author and motivational speaker, always commented about what at great conversationalist he was. The man himself described this as simply listening to what people had to say, asking them questions about what was important to them, and being interested in their responses. In short he kept the spotlight on the person he was speaking with and off himself. You control the conversation by asking the questions and carefully listening to what the person is saying. Talking is not about controlling, listening is. A detective takes control by asking questions and taking notes. You should be taking mental notes and writing them on paper, the back of their business cards, or in your networking notepad after they leave. Here are some more great tricks for becoming a brilliant conversationalist. 

• ·         Take a greater interest in what the person you are speaking to has to say than what you have to say.

• ·         Enter into a conversation knowing what you would like to say and learn, but don’t have any preconceived ideas or judgments about the other person. In other words, keep an open mind.

• ·         Don’t interrupt, remain silent when the other person is talking.

• ·         Never argue, even if you disagree with what someone is saying, or react emotionally to a statement and always keep your cool.

• ·         Never offer and opinion unless you are asked to do so. And address the other person by first name frequently throughout the conversation. As Mr. Carnegie noted, “There is not sweeter sound to a person’s ears then the sound of their own name being spoken.”