65 Tips On How To Talk To Anybody In 10 Different Situations

If you’re anything like me, then the thought of talking to strangers, or having “difficult” conversations with people you do know (e.g. your partner, your boss, your co-workers) can be daunting.

And it’s likely that this will affect those who are primarily introverted more than those who tend towards extraversion.

This guide details a few strategies, tactics, and tips you can use in various situations to help you talk to, well, almost anybody.

How To Talk To Your Boss About Anything

If you’re like most people, there is no more terrifying conversation than to talk to your boss.

Why is it every interaction with them is laden with landmines?

Perhaps it’s because you can’t entirely escape the feeling that one wrong move will cost you your job.

The problem is, there’s a lot of unwritten rules regarding these kinds of conversations.

The good news? Once you figure out the basics, you’ll be able to talk to your boss about anything.

DO:

1. Request An Appointment – Sometimes.

   Not every boss is the same, so while some don’t mind you just dropping by their office (e.g. if they have an “open door” policy), others might appreciate your planning a meeting to talk.

   You therefore need to ascertain what your boss prefers, and then respect that preference.

2. Forget The Small Talk.

   Your boss, like everybody else including you, has a limited number of hours in the day.

   You should therefore respect their time by getting straight to the point, including only as much background information as they actually need.

3. Offer Opinions.

   In theory, you’re working with this person because you bring something to the table (e.g. a skill or knowledge that they do not have access to otherwise).

   There’s no point being a yes-man – instead, speak up when you have something to contribute to the discussion.

4. Build Rapport.

   Take the time to build a relationship with your boss, and you’ll find they’re more willing to give you time when you need it.

   What’s the best way to do this?

   Communicate often, and set up regular meetings to provide progress reports and let them know when issues come up.

DON’T:

1. Beat Around The Bush.

   Nothing is worse than wasting your boss’ valuable time with a lot of details or facts they don’t need.

   The sooner you get to the point of your conversation, the happier everyone will be.

2. Hide What’s Going On.

   If you’ve made a mistake, the worst thing you can do is hide it or try to foist the blame off on somebody else.

   Be honest about what happened, because being transparent keeps the lines of communication open and builds respect.

3. Correct Your Boss.

   At least, never correct them in front of others.

   If you do see something of concern, it’s absolutely appropriate to discuss the matter with them in private.

4. Let Your Emotions Get Away From You.

   If something is going wrong, the last thing you should do is take it out on your boss.

   Nobody at work wants to be invited to your pity party, or have you coming down on them like a ton of bricks.

   Instead, take some time to step away and regain control of yourself – or you can vent to a trusted friend, but not to your boss.

Talking to your boss is really more straightforward than you think.

The main key is to remain professional, and by following these tips, you’ll not only be putting your best foot forward, but you’ll also be showing them you’re a person worth listening to.

When you reach that point, you truly will be able to talk to your boss about anything.

Strategies For Surviving Small Talk With Anyone

When meeting new people for the first time, you’re bound to get bogged down in small talk.

If you are able to take charge of the conversation and turn it into something more interesting, you quickly become the saviour of the situation and leave a much better first impression.

Read on for some quick tips on how to survive small talk with anyone.

1. Research Beforehand.

   If you know who you’re going to be meeting, find out a couple of details about them beforehand, then use those details to ask a question designed to get people talking.

   For example, “I hear you enjoy playing golf. Tell me, what’s your favorite course to play?”

2. Give An Awesome Introduction.

   When introducing people, make sure to say the name slowly so people can hear.

   Also, be sure to give some interesting fact or tidbit about the person you’re introducing, so they have something they can talk about immediately.

3. Remember Names.

   In social situations, most people don’t even make an effort, which means that the very fact you do ensures that you stand out from the crowd.

   To remember a name, use it right away, and then try to use it another one or two times in the course of conversation.

   What about those situations where you forgot their name too? The best solution here is to be honest and just ask them again.

   And if you want to learn more about how to remember people’s name, “Remembering People” by renowned memory expert Harry Lorayne is a great place to start.

4. Give Long Answers.

   If you’re asked a simple question that can be answered in one word, or even a yes/no sort of thing, give an answer more detailed than they asked for, just to provide them with something more to work with in case they’d like to ask follow-up questions.

   For example, “Yes, I did see that movie. We took the kids when we were on vacation in Florida.”

5. Ask About Them.

   People love talking about themselves, so ask questions designed to draw them out.

   You might want to check out this list of suggested ice-breakers for more ideas about this.

6. Restart The Conversation.

   If you hit a lull, throw out a question or conversation starter to get it going again.

   Most of the time, this happens when people run out of small talk, so having some comments or questions prepared will get things turned around, with the awkward pause quickly forgotten.

   Again, have a look at the ice-breaker article referenced in the previous tip if you need some ideas.

7. Know How To Get Out.

   Still trapped? Then have an escape plan in place.

   Start with “I need…” statements such as “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom” or “I need to talk to the host”.

   Be sure to thank the person for the conversation, adding onto the thanks something about the conversation itself such as, “I really enjoyed talking about the stock market with you” before you go, because this leaves a favourable impression and proves you were listening.

How To Talk To Somebody With An Addiction Issue

Loving somebody means sometimes following them through dark places.

That means you’re there for them when they’re anxious, ill, or sad.

And in some relationships, it means being there for them when they’re an addict (whether they accept that or not).

While there’s no easy way to show you still love and care for somebody who’s struggling with addiction, probably the single most powerful thing you can do is to keep communicating with them as they work through their issues.

To do so takes a lot of patience and a certain amount of skill that, thankfully, anybody can develop if they’re dedicated enough.

So, where to begin?

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