The Science of Conversation: How To Say What You Mean, Be Heard, and Stop People-Pleasing | Alison Wood Brooks

You talk all day. Here’s how to do it better, according to a professor from Harvard Business School.

Alison Wood Brooks comes from the Harvard Business School, where she teaches a course called “TALK: How to Talk Gooder in Business and Life,” which she has now turned into a book, called TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves.

In this episode we talk about:

• The evolution of conversation 
• Why conversation is a skill — not just a natural talent 
• How to develop conversational skills, including common conversational pitfalls to avoid
• Granular, tactical pieces of advice on how to have a conversation
• The science behind conversation that may surprise you
• Listening tips 
• Conversational repair strategies 
• How kindness can go pear shaped 
• How to handle difficult moments in conversation 
• The difference between focusing on other people and people pleasing 
• How to integrate these incredible learnings into your life 
• How soft skills are becoming increasingly more valuable with the rise of AI 
  

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