On October 5, 2015, Larry Alton wrote: “6 Tips to Rule the Art of Conversation.” Tip #5 is: “Let the other person do the talking.”
On July 21, 2014 Eric Barker listed 7 points of having a good conversation with #5th being: “Great Conversationalists Listen More than Talk.”
Brett and Kay McKay wrote “The Art of Conversation: 5 Dos and Don’ts” on September 24, 2010. #1 in the Dos section is “Listen more than you talk.” And #1 in the Don’ts section is: “Don’t interrupt.”
Yes, we should know how to prepare our thoughts, get our points across, guide the conversation, etc. But the best advice is: Don’t Interrupt.
That’s right: listen to the other person.
In New Mexico, a man came to talk about a problem. After about forty minutes of almost non-stop talking, he said, “Pastor Linzey, I need to get back to work now, but that’s one of the best conversations I ever had. I feel better already. Thank you.”
But I didn’t say much at all.
Interrupting someone as they are speaking is a manifestation of basic immaturity. Interrupting is rude. We expect interruption from a 3-year-old, but we should learn basic courtesy by the time we are eight. Interrupting reveals disregard for the one who is speaking.
One person often asks me a question, interrupts my answer, and forgets that he asked a question. And yes, I get good practice in listening.
As I was growing up, dad used to say, “When you talk, you’re not learning anything. But when you listen, you just might learn something. So practice listening.”
We should learn how to intelligently voice our thoughts. But the number one step in the art of conversation is the art of listening. Listen to what’s being said so that you can respond intelligently.
James 1:19 (KJV) tells us, “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak….”
But there’s one more thought to this blog. Here it is, and I want you to think long and hard about it. “Learning to actively listen will make you a better writer.” Why do I say that?
I’ll explain it in my next blog. In the mean time …
Write Creatively.
P & L Publishing 