2024-11-19
24 分钟 What makes a great conversation? “Many of us dread small talk,” says Harvard Business School professor and author Alison Wood Brooks. Yet she believes these everyday exchanges are the gateway to deeper connection and opportunity. An expert in the science of conversation, Wood Brooks, teaches a popular course titled Talk and has spent years researching what makes a great conversation. "Big things often start with small talk," she notes. "It’s not about avoiding it; it’s about knowing how to use it to uncover something meaningful."In this LinkedIn Live episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Wood Brooks joins host Matt Abrahams to share a practical framework for mastering small talk and making it enjoyable, even for those who loathe it. Drawing from her "topic pyramid" approach, Wood Brooks breaks down how to elevate a conversation from mundane chitchat to something memorable. “Think of it as a treasure hunt,” she suggests. “Small talk is where you start looking for golden nuggets that can lead to deeper engagement.” Episode Reference Links: Alison Wood Brooks Alison's Book: TalkEp.73 Listen Up: Why It’s Better to Be Interested than Interesting Ep.89 Listen, Listen, Listen: How to Build Deep Connections Connect: Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters: (00:00) - Introduction (01:46) - What Makes a Good Conversation? (04:05) - The Topic Pyramid (06:46) - Preparation for Small Talk (09:02) - Remembering Conversation Details (10:40) - Asking Too Many Questions (12:33) - Conversation Goals and Contexts (16:27) - Virtual vs In-Person Conversations (18:16) - The Importance of Listening (22:10) - Think Fast Talk Smart Premium (23:28) - Conclusion
What can a matchmaker teach you about personal branding?
And what can a comedian reveal about using humor to lead?
To dig deeper into the latest business and management research from around the world, you need HBR IdeaCast from our friends at Harvard Business Review with 1000 episodes and counting, IdeaCast is your one stop shop for guidance on career productivity, strategy and leadership.
Listen to new episodes on HBR IdeaCast every Tuesday.
Wherever you get your podcasts, HBR IdeaCast it's all you need to lead Many.
Of us dread small talk, yet big things happen in chit chat and our starter conversations today.
In this episode, derived from a LinkedIn Live event, you'll learn essential tools to make your small talk a success.
I'm Matt Abrahams and I teach Strategic Communication at Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Welcome to Think F Talk Smart, the podcast.
I am super excited today to speak again with Alison Wood Brooks.
Alison joined me a while back for episode 73.
Alison is the O'Brien Associate professor of Business Administration and Hellman Faculty Fellow at the Harvard Business School.
Allison's research focuses on the science of conversation and interaction and she teaches an award winning course called Talk.
Without further ado, let's jump into our new LinkedIn Live.
Before we get started, I want to invite you to Think Fast Talk Smart Premium.
If you act before November 21, you get a 25% discount and become a member of our Founders Club.
Please check out fastersmarter IO Premium.
Alison as we start our conversation, I'm curious what makes for a good conversation?
Oh Matt, what a huge question.
At its core, people want to feel connected, loved, alive, productive.