{"id":42659,"date":"2023-10-20T15:22:50","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T15:22:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/startupsmart.test\/2023\/10\/20\/naomi-simsons-11-golden-rules-of-conversation-startupsmart\/"},"modified":"2023-10-20T15:22:50","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T15:22:50","slug":"naomi-simsons-11-golden-rules-of-conversation-startupsmart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.startupsmart.com.au\/uncategorized\/naomi-simsons-11-golden-rules-of-conversation-startupsmart\/","title":{"rendered":"Naomi Simson’s 11 golden rules of conversation – StartupSmart"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"RedBalloon<\/div>\n

By Naomi Simson<\/em><\/p>\n

I was in a cafe in Argentina with my daughter a few weeks ago and on the front of the menu was a list of \u201cthe golden rules of conversation\u201d. Now whilst it was quite amusing (see the picture below), I thought there must be a reason \u2013 even if it is just for the sake of conversation \u2013 that they chose to promote conversation.<\/p>\n

Are we losing the art of conversation? Do many people communicate more by text than in person? Does anyone pick up the phone for a chat anymore?<\/p>\n

The words we use define our reality \u2013 as do the conversations that we choose to have. Exploring ideas, shooting the breeze, revealing a story or anecdote are all part of the wonderful world of words.<\/p>\n

I have taken the liberty of editing and embellishing the golden rules based on my own experience. They are all absolutely obvious but sometimes don\u2019t you wish you had them at hand when you are wanting to engage in a conversation with a colleague, spouse or perhaps a teenager who seems caught up in his or her own world.<\/p>\n

I love a great conversation \u2013 I love words.<\/p>\n

The 11 golden rules of conversation<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Listen with intention (not waiting for the other person to finish so that you can speak)<\/li>\n
  2. Put away all phones \/ devices from sight. Respect the person you are with<\/li>\n
  3. Don\u2019t dominate the conversation \u2013 it is a team sport<\/li>\n
  4. Speak of things that are interesting \u2013 and be interested<\/li>\n
  5. Use your facial muscles to acknowledge what you have heard, frequently \u2013 perhaps even smile<\/li>\n
  6. Don\u2019t change the topic every sentence and let the discussion evolve. Dance in the conversation<\/li>\n
  7. Ask questions about the other person, his or her interests or ideas, rather than speaking about yourself<\/li>\n
  8. Don\u2019t ask a question of the other person thinking that will cover off what they want just so you can spend the rest of the time talking about yourself<\/li>\n
  9. Respect different view points and opinions \u2013 there is no \u2018right\u2019 in a conversation<\/li>\n
  10. Be authentic<\/li>\n
  11. Use positive words and don\u2019t slip into \u2018gossip’<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Okay so I might well sound like I\u2019m from another century (oh that\u2019s right I am)\u2026<\/p>\n

    One of the greatest things in life is our ability to connect and communicate with others of our species, whether that is at work, home or in the community. Conversation, language and words give us the richness of our existence; conversation is as much about listening as it is about contribution.<\/p>\n

    Ask yourself when was the last time that you had a \u2018deep and meaningful\u2019 conversation that left you touched, moved and inspired. Perhaps that is your \u2018one thing\u2019 for today. Have a great conversation that will leave you feeling connected with the other person or people involved and guess what \u2013 it is going to need to happen in person. It\u2019s the way we humans work.<\/p>\n

    Naomi Simson is the founding director of Australian online tech success story RedBalloon and Redii. She has written more than 1000 blog posts at NaomiSimson.com, is a professional speaker, author of Live What You Love,andReady to Soar and is one of five \u201cSharks\u201d on TEN\u2019s business reality show Shark Tank to return in 2016.<\/em><\/p>\n

    This article was originally published on SmartCompany. <\/em><\/p>\n

    Follow StartupSmart on<\/em> <\/em>Facebook,<\/em> <\/em>Twitter,<\/em> <\/em>LinkedIn<\/em> <\/em>and<\/em> <\/em>Soundcloud.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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