Be informal

Meetings can be completely sidelined in the first 30 seconds.

The deal is this: The first speaker sets the tone for the rest of the conversation, anchoring the entire conversation.

After the first speaker sets the tone, the second ...

• Delivery is as important as the words alone. The flavor of how you say it counts. 
• Engage your listeners; don't ignore them by staring over their heads or at the floor. Communicate and connect through eye contact. 
• Use the same natural conversational tone and directness as no...

1. They display genuine interest in what their partner is saying. They actively listen, rather than simply waiting for their own turn to speak.
2. They demonstrate attention by looking directly at the speaker.
3. They ask questions and go deeper into topics of oth...