Conversation tip #15: Seek to Understand
Seek to Understand Have you ever seen two emotional people talk past each other? Both talk and neither listen. Both want to tell the other, and don’t want to hear – or understand – what the other person is saying. This happens too often in stressful workplaces. Stephen Covey, author of the international bestseller called “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, advises people “to seek first to...
Read MoreConversation tip #14: Ask a question
“Do you want to know how to start a conversation? Ask a question, and listen.” Robert Bly (1926- ), American poet and activist That’s not a bad starting point, is it?
Read MoreESL Conversation worksheet: Imperatives vs Polite Requests in the Workplace
Workplace Communication Tip 3: Politely Make Suggestions Style matters – especially when we talk with our co-workers, consumers, patients, and supervisors. English language learners, immigrants, and far too many English speaking workers sometimes forget this basic principle of workplace communication. Consider the difference in how these requests sound. Shut off the TV! Please turn off the TV?...
Read MoreConversation tip #12: Nice truck!
Sometimes a simple comment leads to a delightful conversation. Today I noticed a very, very old truck parked on the street while walking my dog. “She’s as old as I am,” replied the owner from his frontyard. He soon came to the sidewalk. “Made in 1931.” Although I’m hardly a car guy, we proceeded to have a rather detailed and informative conversation about...
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