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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