conversation
It happens to the best of us: we’re talking to someone we’ve just met, and theconversation is stalling. We don’t know where to take it, how to keep it going and the silence is making us feel awkward. Although in the grand scheme of things, these moments are meaningless, they can be quite a burden for you when they happen.

I think the biggest problem here is not that awkward feeling though, but the fact that not knowing good ways to keep aconversation going can make you lose the opportunity to get to know an otherwise great person.

It is common for conversations with new people to have bumps at the beginning. Get them over those bumps successfully, and you could find yourself building a beautiful relationship. Here are the best 5 ways I know to do this:    http://bit.ly/i5wLHL

Great article this ... some of the tips are predictable, though no less useful, but I especially liked "Be a good listener", "Be willing to confront" but "Postpone evaluation". You can read it here => http://bit.ly/9cXicy

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When we listen, we do more than hearing words. We interpret messages using nonverbal communication,
 intuition, observations and context. By using this additional information, we are able to have a deeper understanding of a message, or read between the lines. Sometimes the message may be misconstrued due to other factors (insecurity, signal misunderstandings, defensiveness, etc.). In these situations, the person sending the message can contrast to prevent misinterpretations or clear them up.
Contrasting is clarifying what the communicator is not saying. ...Read more =>

And the first part of any speech or presentation is to gain that attention – arouse it, focus it and keep it.  Don’t waste your breath on the expected or the blah.  If you must begin with something like “Good evening”, then make it different, or unusual.

Here in Australia, we might say “G’day!”  That would be unexpected from a speaker, but well understood.  Otherwise use your voice and body language to make the greeting unusual, challenging, noticeable.

Use pause here.

Then use an opening that grabs the attention.  You can use a question, a joke, a comment about the people or surroundings or event.

You can make a statement, use a quotation, or simply use body language or gesture.  But choose that opening to grab attention, to align with the audience and their needs, hopes and aspirations, and to lead into your message.

Technology has a considerable impact on communications. Latest words and expressions are conceived to match the most recent technological breakthroughs. The following is a vital part of communication skills. As language is constantly changing, one should be capable of staying abreast of the change. This means, a person must possess sufficient knowledge to persist in improving his communication.

Read more ...

From the NACE Press room...

Employers look for their job candidates to exhibit strong communication skills, according to a recent survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

Employers taking part in NACE’s Job Outlook 2010 survey, ranked communication skills at the top of the skills they seek in potential employees. Rounding out the top five were analytical skills, the ability to work in a team, technical skills, and a strong work ethic

Read more >>>

The Complete Book of Questions: 1001 Conversation Starters for Any Occasion

by Garry Poole

This book provides groups with 1,001 engaging and thought-provoking icebreaker questions to start and sustain meaningful conversations.

Read more


Leverage: How to Get it and How to Keep it in any negotiation

by Roger Volkema

Leverage — the real or imagined advantage one holds — is the most important tool in a negotiation. Anyone who wants to consistently win at the negotiating table needs to master the art of gaining and maintaining leverage. This book helps readers maximize their negotiation skills by showing them how to recognize and use these often hidden trump cards.

Read more ... or go straight to Amazon

What an excellent post from Jodi Glickman Brown

But learning how to ask for help — and how to do it right — is critical to doing your job well and setting yourself up for success.

You may be afraid of looking dumb, but to be afraid to ask for and get the help you need is inexcusable, especially when the stakes are high. Asking for help in the workplace is a good thing. In fact, asking for help the right way can show how smart you are: it demonstrates that you've got good judgment and shows that you know what you know and what you don't know. Moreover, getting help up front saves endless time, energy and resources on the back end; in the Madoff case, it could have saved billions of dollars and immeasurable heartache.

Read more here