Meaningful conversations often flow best in places where you feel most at ease. Seek out unhurried spaces such as a quiet cafe, park bench or a gentle walk somewhere peaceful. “Everyone shines, given the right lighting,” writes lecturer and author of Quiet, Susan Cain. When the surroundings are calm and free from constant distractions, it’s easier to give each other your full attention and create trust.
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When someone shares something with you, take the conversation deeper by asking open questions like: ‘How did that affect you?’. “Genuine listening means suspending memory, desire and judgment for a few moments,” notes Michael P. Nichols, clinical psychologist and author of The Lost Art of Listening. Give them room to speak at their own pace, and you may be surprised by their insights.
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