What a Jay Leno, Conan O'Brian Have In Common?
Posted on 10/18/2009
Do you know what a Jay Leno, Conan O'Brian have in common? They are all experts at bringing out the best in people. No matter how dull, how boring, or how uncomfortable their guests may be, these late night talk show hosts are able to conduct an interview that makes them entertaining and interesting. What is their secret? During the interview, they focus on the guest, keeping the conversation light and positive, and asking open ended questions to encourage active participation .
If talking to another person is difficult for you, you might pick up some tips on the art of conversation by watching these talented men as they turn a nine year old spelling bee champion or a seventy nine year Senior Olympics competitor into into an interesting guest.
If you choose to open a conversation with someone you have just met by asking a question, make sure it's an open ended question instead of one that can be answered with a yes or no. For instance, "What do you think about the band?" will stimulate conversation, while, "Do you like the band?" will elicit a yes or no and lead to a dead end.
Once you have gotten past the introductions, make sure your first comment is light and positive. Be prepared to laugh easily. You certainly don't want to force a laugh, but if you have an easygoing, casual attitude, laughter will come naturally. When you first meet someone, avoid heavy topics like religion or politics. Keep your conversation light hearted and enthusiastic. Stay away from complaining and sarcasm. Negative comments will make a bad impression.
A good way to keep your conversation up best is to compliment the other person. You wouldn't have been attracted to them if you hadn't seem something, use your imagination and be specific. For example. if you were to comment on a man's shirt, simply saying, "That is a nice shirt," you would probably make his day. But if you take it one step further and say, "That is a great shirt. It brings out the color of your eyes" it will have a much greater impact, and it will also lead to further conversation.
The first example will make someone feel good, but the second one shows that you are paying more attention and noticing something special about him or her. Whatever you do, avoid telling someone he or she looks nice. "Nice" is a meaningless word that sound lifeless when you say it.
Another way to keep conversion positive and full of energy is to tell a good story.Story telling is a wonderful way to keep a conversation alive and at the same time show off your sense of humor or your flair for drama. Remember to share the stage with the other person, though. Stories are great as long as they don't turn into monologues or one person shows.
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