Learning to have a better conversation with strangers

I work in sales. My job is ask questions so my customer gets an appropriate product to suit their needs. My greatest challenge in this job is starting a conversation. To be successful at this job I need tools to help me understand what makes a customer tick.

I’ve been listening to NPR LifeKit podcasts. I came across an episode about becoming a supercommunicator. The guest was the author of a book about communication and conversation. He provided tips to get a conversation started and for fostering a connection.

The key tip was looping for understanding: ask a question then listen, repeat their response in your own words, ask if you got it right. Another tip is asking the “why.” It invites speaker to open up. And the final tip is to be authentic.

His advice was practical and seemingly obvious. My challenge is get away from transactional communication and into meaningful conversation. With a bit more knowledge about the person standing before me it’ll move us toward a meaningful conversation.

List of tools

• Muji Monoline Pens

• Color Pencils

• Muji Newsprint Sketchbook with printed boxes

The first letter in the alphabet, A.