Hogging the Conversation
Last week I met up with a friend I hadn’t seen in several months. We were fifteen minutes into our conversation when it dawned on me that I was doing almost all of the talking. In my defense, my friend...
View ArticleJust Say Thanks
A colleague unexpectedly pulled me aside to talk after a meeting last week. After a hesitant start and some nervous laughter, my coworker got to the point: he wanted to thank me for helping him think...
View ArticleLeave Unwanted Opinions Behind
Unwanted opinions are as omnipresent—and as nutty—as fruitcake during the holiday season, but they are even less desirable than the humble old cake. The cumulative effect of relatives, close holiday...
View ArticleStop Incriminating Yourself
Many comments and queries are tailor-made to inspire conflict. Uncle Billy goads you into a political argument that culminates with joint yelling. Your coworker shares a juicy piece of gossip about the...
View ArticleSpringing a Conversational Leak
A few days ago, I went to the neighborhood service station I’ve used for years to get a leaky tire patched. While the tire was being fixed, I chatted at the front desk with one of the shop’s employees...
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