169. Don't Be a ZQ: Make Your Conversations Count

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

​​ 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: Talk
• Ep.73 Listen Up: Why It’s Better to Be Interested than Interesting
• Ep.89 Listen, Listen, Listen: How to Build Deep Connections

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• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (01:53) - What Makes a Good Conversation?
• (04:12) - The Topic Pyramid
• (06:53) - Preparation for Small Talk
• (09:09) - Remembering Conversation Details
• (10:47) - Asking Too Many Questions
• (12:40) - Conversation Goals and Contexts
• (16:34) - Virtual vs In-Person Conversations
• (18:23) - The Importance of Listening
• (22:17) - Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• (23:35) - Conclusion

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