Strategies to keep a conversation interesting and fluid (Part II)

The Art of Gathering and Using Valuable Information

One of the most sophisticated techniques for maintaining a conversation is to learn how to gather information during the dialogue and then use it to your advantage.

When a person talks to you, they are offering you valuable information about what they think, what they feel, what they like, and what they are interested in.

If you pay active attention, you can use this information to ask feedback or questions that make her feel safe and important, demonstrating that what she tells you is valuable to you.

For example, if she has told you something about a project she is passionate about, you can ask her a specific question about that topic later.

This simple action shows her that you've really listened to her, which strengthens the connection and keeps the conversation alive.

Also, an interesting note to build trust is to make a small personal disclosure.

Sharing something about yourself, without needing to be very intimate, helps the other person feel more confident and comfortable, encouraging the dialogue to continue.

The Importance of Detecting and Responding to Boredom

It is crucial to develop the ability to detect signs of boredom or lack of interest in your interlocutor, as this will allow you to act in time to prevent the conversation from dying.

There are several clear indicators that the person is becoming disengaged: perhaps he or she looks at the cell phone frequently, looks away or starts giving very short, monosyllabic answers.

The moment you detect these signs, you have two strategic options to rekindle the dialogue.

The first is to use the above technique: ask a question on a topic that you know the person is interested in, based on the information you have previously gathered.

The second option is to change the subject naturally, introducing a new topic that may capture their attention again.

Being an attentive observer of these signals makes you a proactive communicator, capable of redirecting the energy of the conversation.

Encouraging Dialogue with Open-Ended Responses

How you respond has a direct impact on the continuity of a conversation.

One of the worst practices is to offer answers that are curt, blunt or limited to a "yes" or "no".

When you talk to someone and their answers are that closed, it is inevitable that you will feel uncomfortable and even lose the desire to continue trying to maintain the dialogue.

Therefore, to keep the conversation flowing, it is essential that your answers be open and inviting.

Instead of a simple "yes," you can add a small comment or a related question.

These open-ended responses not only make it easier to keep the conversation going, but also convey interest and collaboration.

In fact, the recurrent use of closed answers can even generate distrust in the other person, making them feel that you don't want to share anything.

Summary

One of the most sophisticated techniques is to learn how to gather information during the dialogue and then use it to your advantage. When a person talks, he or she is offering you valuable information about his or her tastes and interests.

It is crucial to develop the ability to detect signs of boredom or lack of interest in your interlocutor. There are several clear indicators that the person is tuning out: they look at their cell phone, avert their gaze or give short answers.

The way you respond has a direct impact on the continuity of a conversation. One of the worst practices is to offer curt answers, limited to a "yes" or "no", which generates discomfort in the other person.