3 Golden Rules of Memorable Conversations

Conversations are how we connect with people, personally and professionally; how we learn about them and their lives. There is nothing more effective than a heart to heart conversation to create a memorable impression on someone.?

I have found myself following 3 Golden rules to have engaging conversations with people from all areas of life?- friends, acquaintances, co-workers, random kind strangers or even an interviewer. These?rules can be applied to mostly all situations to??have a good tête-à-tête and have people remember you for a long time.?

1. Listen -?Yes.?Listening is the first step towards good communication. People love talking about themselves - so do you. But if you want to be remembered - listen with genuine interest. You'll learn what makes them tick, what makes their eyes sparkle, or what makes them enraged. This gives you a better insight into people's mind.?Find a common ground, a connecting thread?and then share your experiences. Talk about your point of view. Be passionate in your expression. People will remember you for -?

a. lending them an ear, listening to what they had to share and

b. sharing a little slice of your life which they can understand and associate with

If you want to be remembered - listen with genuine interest.

2. Stir an emotion -?People may forget what you said. In fact they most definitely will. But they will never forget?how you made them feel. So stir up an emotion - a positive one. Make people laugh, make them feel happy, make them feel proud,?make them feel good about themselves.?That feeling will be etched on their mind?forever. They will associate you with that good feeling and always remember you.?

People may forget what you said but they will never forget?how you made them feel.

3. Talk to people in their language -??Don't always take this literally. When any of my non-Marathi friends try to talk to me in Marathi, it is frequently ludicrous.?

Simply put, when talking to a person, use references which they can relate to, ones that are close to their heart.?

Yesterday my friend asked me about a book I am reading -?"The Subtle art of not giving a F**k" ?by Mark Manson. He wanted to know the gist so as to decide if he should read it too.

This friend is an avid runner. He loves running?and keeps encouraging me to run (quite unsuccessfully). I always refuse saying that my feet sprain?or whatever.

To explain the gist of the book in "his language" I?told him - "This book teaches you to stay focused on running and not give a F**k?about the sprains". The statement clicked with him - because he could relate to what was being said. It was in a language he understood.?

Talking to people in their language doesn't necessarily mean learning Telegu?if you are moving to Hyderabad?(though it will help in the long run).?It means you?make THEM the hero of your story. Everyone likes being the hero. They'll remember you for connecting with them in the context of their life.?

Talking to people in their language means you?make them the hero of your story.

These three strategies have always worked for me to have meaningful conversations and create memorable impressions. It helps reconnect with people, get things done, ask for professional favors, and build lasting relationships.?

Most importantly - always bring your personality and charisma into the conversation. Be real. People will always remember?the real YOU!