Not everyone can have the social finesse of Donald Trump or Barack Obama. Whether it’s during a night on the town with your coworkers or an important client dinner, people are constantly being judged by what they say (or what they don’t say). If you’re an individual who struggles during group conversations, here are 5 simple tips that may help you out!
Read the Newspaper:
- Being informed on the most recent happenings around the world will allow you to actively participate in related conversations during the event. Skim a current newspaper prior to the event for interesting news stories. If you don’t have time to read the newspaper, watch CNN or the Fox News Channel while you are getting dressed. Information is power!
Review the Latest Sports Highlights:
- Even if you are not a sports fan, there is a high probability that a few people at the event will be. Catching up on the latest sporting world developments will allow you to follow along (and perhaps contribute) should any idle conversations head in this direction.
Memorize a Joke:
- Everyone loves a good joke. If you’re a dud when it comes to comedy, make a point of learning at least one quick joke related to a current topic. You may never get a chance to use it, but if the opportunity presents itself you’ll be ready to perform. Just be reasonable, jokes based on prejudice, religion, and in some cases politics have no place in public forums.
Identify a Problem Within Your Organization:
- It’s not all fun and games at company gatherings. At some point during the event the topic of discussion will turn to business. Ask yourself what issues are facing your organization. Think of solutions to these issues. If the moment presents itself, you will be able to offer insight and reinforce the point that you are “in touch” with current issues affecting your institution
Research Prospective Guests:
- It is always a good idea to learn the names and positions of various guests who may be attending the function. If you can recall their names, they will usually make a point of remembering yours. See if you can’t find out a little personal information about guests you would like to meet. If you do get a chance to speak with them, be sure to ask them how their golf game is, how their horses are, or if they’ve caught any big fish lately.
Regardless of the situation, improving our ability to interact and communicate with other individuals is a life long learning process. If you don’t practice your communication skills, they will never improve!
photo by ogilvyprworldwide
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