10 of the Best Ways to Improve Your Conversations

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In my dreams, I’m witty and engaging. The kind of person you’d want to sit and talk with for hours. And of course, I’m an excellent listener who is emotionally supportive offering just the right balance of encouragement with sage advice.

But remember, I said, “in my dreams.”

In reality, let’s just say . . . I fall short.

Conversations. Love them or hate them they’re an essential part of life.

We love fun conversations with our best friends and hate ones where we have to confront someone or defend ourselves.

All day long, you and I are leaving little pieces of ourselves behind through the verbal exchanges we have with family, friends, coworkers, and yes, even strangers.

You and I want people to smile when they think of us about but I wonder how often we’ve messed up a conversation without even realizing it.

You’ve heard the saying, “They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” ~Carl W. Buehner

With that in mind, I’m working on…

10 of the Best Ways to Improve Your Conversations

1. Ask Questions

Ask open-ended non-prying questions. Things like:

• Where did you meet your best friend or your spouse?
• Where did you grow up?
• What’s your favorite way to spend your time?
• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
• What’s the best book you read last year?

“Friends are those rare people who ask how we are, and then wait to hear the answer.”
~Ed Cunningham

2. Take a Genuine Interest in the Answers

Listen to their story. Value their beliefs and opinions. You might learn something.

“When you really listen to another person from their point of view and reflect back to them that understanding, it’s like giving them emotional oxygen.” ~ Stephen Covey

3. Let Them Finish a Thought – Don’t Interrupt

I’m guilty of this too often. When I’m engaged in a good conversation I get excited and in my enthusiasm, I speak too quickly. I’m working on this one…

“Recent research has indicated that the average individual listens for only seventeen seconds before interrupting and interjecting his own ideas.” ~Gary Chapman

It looks like I have lots of company when it comes to interrupting. Maybe many of us need to work listening to learn not to reply.

4. Share Your Story – Be a Little Vulnerable

You don’t have to tell every little detail but talk about your experiences. Something special happens when we open up and realize we may be more alike than we realized.

“Friendship … is born at the moment when one man says to another “What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .” ~C.S.Lewis

5. Relax – Be Yourself

God created you for this time and place. He created you for your relationships . . . just the way you are. There is something in you that is important to and for each of the people in your life. Be your best but be yourself. Relax and have fun.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10

6. Be Aware of Your Body Language

Make eye contact. Avoid foot tapping. Keep your arms open and your posture positive. Don’t roll your eyes, and don’t make negative or exaggerated facial expressions or gestures.

Crossed arms and eye rolls don’t work. Negative body language communicates immaturity and a closed-off attitude. It’s annoying in children and downright obnoxious in adults.

“Where body language conflicts with the words that are being said, the body language will usually be the more ‘truthful’ in the sense of revealing true feelings.” ~Glen Wilson

7. Listen to Yourself

Be aware of the tone of your voice. Agree enthusiastically and disagree calmly and quietly. Avoid sarcasm and exaggeration. Say what you mean and mean what you say.

Everything you do or say should be done to obey Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus. Colossians 3:17

8. Use Your Head to Avoid Embarrassment

Think before you speak. Think about how your words might be received not just about what you want to say.

[Tweet “”The trouble with talking too fast is you may say something you haven’t thought of yet.” ~Ann Landers”]

9. Control Your Emotions

Although it’s true, you can’t control your feelings, it is equally true that you can control how you act on those feelings if you choose to. Stay open and sensitive to others’ feelings, but not too easily hurt yourself. Strive to be unoffensive and un-offendable. 

A person with good sense is patient, and it is to his credit that he overlooks an offense. Proverbs 19:11

“The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.” ~ Dorothy Nevill

 10. Apologize When Necessary

I make conversation mistakes often. I don’t listen the way I want to, I’m easily distracted, and I speak way too quickly.

And I’ve learned to say “I’m sorry, please forgive me.”

“An apology is a lovely perfume; it can transform the clumsiest moment into a gracious gift.” ~Margaret Lee Runbeck

“Real apologies start in the heart, express themselves through words, and culminate in actions.” ~Anonymous

Bonus – Always Choose Love

Be slow to judge or criticize. We’re all sinners who have said and done things we shouldn’t. You and I are more likely to point people to the truth of God’s love with a kind example and a caring heart than we are through harsh correction and criticism.

When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you. Ephesians 4:29

Don’t you just love the way God makes it possible for us to connect with each other through conversation?

I especially love that now through screen and keyboard we can converse with people all around the world. That means, beyond face to face conversations, our online chats and posted comments are key to communicating and getting to know one another.

So, I want to leave you with a question…

Are you as careful with your on-line conversations as you are when sitting with someone across the table? If you and I have labeled ourselves followers of Jesus, what we say in person or on-line influences what others think of Him.

You and I can’t control the craziness that’s out there but we can control how we participate.

Do not do wrong to repay a wrong, and do not insult to repay an insult. But repay with a blessing, because you yourselves were called to do this so that you might receive a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9

And that blessing might just be a new or restored friendship.

I’ve always liked this easy to remember quote. It’s overused but let’s face it, it’s helpful. So ask yourself…

Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? 

And I like to add – Is it helpful?

I can do better.

Maybe you can too.

It’s not too late. Let’s improve our conversations and bless our relationships.

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