Improving conversational skills

I stumbled upon an interesting article written by  Linda Sapadin, Ph.D recently about the psychology of conversation.

Here's an excerpt about common obstacles that might interrupt a healthy flow of thoughts and ideas during a discussion:

"To construct our own great conversations, we need to listen and speak respectfully. No need to be starry-eyed lovers. But do everything you can to avoid the Congressional model.

Want to improve your conversational skills? Avoid these common conversational breakers:

Speaking

•     Going on and on without giving the other person a chance to talk. (Yakkety, yak, yak, yak)
•     Pontificating. (Of course, it’s done this way. How else?)
•     Confusing listening with obeying. (Why aren’t you listening to me? I told you to do it this way!)
•     Making a definitive statement without explaining your position. (This is what has to be done.)

Listening

•     Listening while multi-tasking. (Checking your phone messages as you listen.)
•     Responding with frequent “Yes, but” statements. (“Yes, but I don’t want to do it.”)
•     Interrupting with a rebuttal. (“I know what you’re saying and it’s ridiculous.”)
•     Rolling your eyes or displaying other disrespectful body language."

Read the full article here.