ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Use a tip from a TED Talk that's been watched over 7 million times to make it easier to talk to anyone

Radio host Celeste Headlee says the key to exciting conversations is assuming the other person has a fascinating secret to share.

In 2015, journalist Celeste Headlee gave a TEDx Talk on how to have better conversations.

She spends the bulk of the talk on 10 core tips — but to me, the most compelling lesson comes at the very end. That's when Headlee — who is currently the host of talk show "On Second Thought" — draws a connection between her childhood experiences and her conversational prowess today.

The story is best in Headlee's words, so here it is:

Headlee's grandfather, by the way, was William Grant Still, and he was the first black conductor to conduct a professional symphony orchestra in the United States.

ADVERTISEMENT

Headlee urges the audience to display the same sense of childlike curiosity in their daily conversations.

If you assume your conversation partner is boring, you're all but guaranteed to have a superficial interaction. Instead consider yourself an interpersonal archaeologist, if you will, whose job is to uncover the one thing that makes the other person fascinating.

Even if you don't find it right away, the excavation process will probably make your conversations a lot more exciting.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Here's everything to know about being a virgin on your wedding night

Here's everything to know about being a virgin on your wedding night

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

5 reasons Easter was more fun when we were children

5 reasons Easter was more fun when we were children

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT