'Would you be willing?': words to turn a conversation around (and those to avoid)
Curated from: theguardian.com
Ideas, facts & insights covering these topics:
8 ideas
·24.8K reads
52
2
Explore the World's Best Ideas
Join today and uncover 100+ curated journeys from 50+ topics. Unlock access to our mobile app with extensive features.
Choose your words wisely
Choosing wisely your words can actually be the key to a successful negotiation.
For instance, the use of 'willing' in phrases such as 'are you willing to come for a meeting?' has the surprising positive effect to make people want to respond affirmatively. For an even better result, try using it after having met with some resistance.
909
4.22K reads
Avoid using 'Just'
When writing emails or even in speaking, individuals, tend to use quite a lot the word 'just'; while it is a polite term, 'just' suggests also insecurity and the need to ask for permission.
Therefore, whenever you are try to show some authority, go for another word. It is safer.
823
3.46K reads
Speak vs. Talk
While the two verbs are totally synonyms, their use has quite a different impact on people. Therefore, when you invite someone 'to talk', studies have shown that you are more prone to meet resistance than when you just propose them 'to speak'.
The first verb, it seems, is often associated with the idea of not paying enough attention to the other person's words.
777
3.25K reads
Avoid asking 'How are you?'
Even though most of us perceive the usual 'How are you?' question as being very polite and necessary, recent research has shown that, on the contrary, this irritates the other person.
As it is only a formal and, therefore, cold way to establish a first connection, better just drop it and get straight to the point, instead of prolongating a small talk that is totally unnecessary.
834
3.15K reads
Some vs. Any
We were taught, from the very first years of studying English, that 'any' and 'some' can be used in similar sentences. However, conversation analysts have come to the conclusion that 'any' usually meets with resistance, whereas 'some' will lead to a better response. This might be because 'any' is also used in negative sentences.
So next time you need to use one of these two, go for 'some' in order to get more specific answers.
749
2.73K reads
Avoid saying 'Yes, but'
Saying 'Yes, but' in a discussion shows that we do not agree with the other person, however, we are trying to keep it polite.
Nevertheless, in order to come to a mutual agreement, questions like 'What do you need?' should be preferred.
764
2.73K reads
Use 'It seems like'
There are a few known tips to successfully lead almost every discussion. First and foremost, one should show that he or she listens actively to the other person.
One way to do this is by using sentences such as 'It seems like what you are saying is...'. After all, everybody enjoys being listened to.
810
2.43K reads
The magic of 'Hello'
'Hello' is a word that brightens up everyone's day. Therefore, whenever a tense situation emerges, just clam down the spirits by introducing your own sentence with a simple 'Hello' and you will see how completely miraculously things will just get better.
766
2.84K reads
IDEAS CURATED BY
Isabel G.'s ideas are part of this journey:
Learn more about communication with this collection
How to prioritize and simplify your life
The importance of rest and relaxation
The benefits of slowing down
Related collections
Similar ideas
Read & Learn
20x Faster
without
deepstash
with
deepstash
with
deepstash
Personalized microlearning
—
100+ Learning Journeys
—
Access to 200,000+ ideas
—
Access to the mobile app
—
Unlimited idea saving
—
—
Unlimited history
—
—
Unlimited listening to ideas
—
—
Downloading & offline access
—
—
Supercharge your mind with one idea per day
Enter your email and spend 1 minute every day to learn something new.
I agree to receive email updates