Rediscover the Lost Art of Conversation

For us communicators at (W)right On, it’s essential we understand and practice the art of conversation. It’s in part why we recently hosted a PRSA seminar on networking skills for industry up-and-comers, and on March 28th as part of The Next 25 series celebrating our 25th Anniversary will be hosting a panel of world-class tourism and travel industry experts to talk about the Future of Sustainable Tourism. Being both in-person at our San Diego headquarters and broadcast live online, it will be another great opportunity to put our conversational skills into practice. 

Shown in Celeste Headlee’s interesting TED talk, it’s apparent that fewer and fewer of the younger generation are developing and exercising this skill. Imagine if the 1/3 of teens who send more than 100 texts per day instead worked on their conversational skills: they’d be better prepared for the dating scene, career opportunities and so much more. As Harvard University’s David Deming points out, “high-skilled, difficult to automate jobs increasingly require social skills.” In fact, surveys have for decades highlighted the importance of soft skills – such as oral communication; teamwork/collaboration; professionalism/work ethic; written communications; and critical thinking/problem solving – that are increasingly hard to come by.

Becoming an older person myself, I wrestle with this issue. On the one hand, it seems to me we need to learn – and teach – oral conversation skills for the numerous good reasons just noted. On the other hand, the tidal wave of alternate communication like texts, tweets, SnapChats and Instagram, TikTok and Facebook posts, to say nothing of the evolving immersive world, cannot be ignored. Communication evolves, and so must we all. So is the latter the new reality, with the art of conversation destined to a fading past? I think not.

At (W)right On, we deeply understand the importance of relationships in just about all endeavors. And at the heart of every developing and flourishing relationship is conversation. When we provide presentation training, media training, a social media program, and just about everything else we do, at the core of each is conversation. So while Celeste focuses on tips for conversations while you’re in them at networking events, say, I offer these thoughts as to how to get in – and out – of them.

  1. Go for it– Relax and let go of your fear, since there’s always something you can use to start a conversation. Ask a question, whether it’s for help, an opinion or advice. Make a provocative statement, or muse about a hypothetical situation. Noticing something about the other person (not too personal) or a mutual friend will usually pique their interest to talk with you. Having some topics in mind beforehand will let your subconscience be doing some prep work for you.
  2. Be aware of timing– Catching someone with their mouth full or clearly with one foot out the door is likely to be unproductive. But noticing and approaching someone by themselves in a crowded room will usually be met with appreciation.
  3. Embrace diversity– Conversations are more interesting if they’re with someone less like yourself. To switch things up, avoid the ‘comfort zone’ with your clone, and instead seek to converse with someone who knows things you don’t, be it a younger or older person or someone from another culture, societal background and/or education type and level. You’re less likely to find yourself drawing blanks since differences and new information are inherently more interesting than consistent agreement.
  4. Exit gracefully– Too much of a good thing can be just that, so it’s important to know when to move on gracefully. If needed, you can use a common reason (‘have to get back to…’, ‘connect with [person] before they leave’, ‘take this call/text I’ve been waiting for’, etc). If needed, you can also pull someone else into the conversation to tactfully take over for you. If you’re there with a colleague, you may even have a pre-arranged cue to help you guard your time. In any case, listen for the natural transition, keep the ending on a positive note and recap follow-up actions (so that it’s not so much a ‘good bye’ as it is a pause in the conversation to be picked up later).

The art of conversation is just that: an art. Though some seem to possess the gift of gab, it really isn’t something genetically programmed within a certain few. Great conversation skills must be taught, role modeled and ultimately learned and kept sharp. Like many skills, becoming good at communicating is as much about attitude and willingness to put in the effort as it is about technique – if you continue to work hard and develop your abilities, before too long it becomes effortless.

This post is updated from an earlier version published in 2016.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Grant Wright is CEO of (W)right On Communications, Inc., the award-winning integrated strategic communications firm founded in 1998. With offices in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Vancouver, B.C., his team handles complex communications challenges for B2B tech, cleantech and energy, healthcare, tourism and hospitality, not-for-profit and public sector organizations. Wright and his team elevate the agency experience through data-driven insights and measurable results for client partners.

Explore the Future of Sustainable Tourism during March 28 Expert Panel

Online and in-person event shares perspectives from leading destination, resort and electric aviation executives and travel media 

SAN DIEGO; March 6 – Fly in an electric air taxi to your hotel made from hemp for a day of biodynamic wine tastings? The future of sustainable tourism and travel is closer than you think. (W)right On Communications is marking its 25th year in business by hosting a hybrid in-person and online event series called The Next 25 with the first event on March 28 from 4 to 5 p.m. focusing on the future of sustainable tourism and travel.

A panel of leading destination, resort, electric aviation and travel media experts will share their knowledge and predictions during the discussion titled “Sustainable Tourism: Oxymoron or Opportunity?” Moderated by (W)right On Communications President and Founder Julie Wright, the event will include the opportunity for audience questions to panelists.

Visit Napa Valley CEO Linsey Gallagher will address how sought-after destinations are stewarding the visitor experience and the environment to benefit all stakeholders. Lowe Senior Vice President Todd Majcher, who oversaw the 102-acre Terranea Resort development along the Rancho Palos Verdes coastline, will explain how sustainability trends are shaping the resort of the future. Archer Aviation’s Chief Operating Officer, Urban Air Mobility Tom Anderson will share how electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (evTOL) are poised to change short-haul air travel. TravelPulse and Parents contributor Mia Taylor will speak to industry and consumer sustainability trends and practices drawing up on her long career as an award-winning journalist and travel writer.  

“Travel and tourism are important industries and a passion at (W)right On. They’re also vital to promoting cultural understanding, conducting business and supporting local economies,” said Wright. “Our panelists will share information that helps other travel and tourism leaders stay ahead of sustainability trends to keep these industries and our planet healthy long into the future.”   

Event and registration details can be found at bit.ly/Future_of_Sustainable_Tourism. Registration closes March 27 at 5 p.m.

The Next 25 series continues throughout the year with two more sessions planned, one on the future of immersive storytelling and the other on climate technologies. Learn more at wrightoncomm.com/next25 and join the conversation on social media with the hashtag #Next25.

About (W)right On Communications:

Celebrating its 25th year in business, (W)right On Communications is an award-winning integrated strategic communications firm with offices in San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. With a mission to elevate the agency experience for its client partners, employees and industry plus a focus on creative and measurable results, (W)right On Communications serves organizations in complex and unpredictable business environments working with business innovators, leaders and difference-makers. (W)right On Communications has been named one of America’s Best PR Agencies of 2021 and is a member of IPRN, a global network of more than 50 independently owned and managed communications and public relations agencies in over 40 countries. For more, see www.wrightoncomm.com.