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Ideas for Impact

How to Be a Great Conversationalist: Ask for Stories

April 22, 2025 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Master conversations---invite stories for deeper, more meaningful connections. Ditch small talk—invite real stories. Skip generic questions and encourage people to share when the moment is right. Stories reveal passions, fears, and values, creating trust and connection beyond surface-level chatter.

Engage fully. When someone shares, listen with presence. Let them relive emotions and details, absorbing more than just words—feel their experience.

Respect boundaries. Not everyone is comfortable opening up. Watch for cues, adapt to cultural differences, and never push. Connection happens when people feel safe to be themselves. Create space, listen with care, and let stories unfold naturally.

Idea for Impact: Get them talking. Let them take their time.

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Filed Under: Effective Communication, Managing People, Sharpening Your Skills Tagged With: Confidence, Conversations, Etiquette, Likeability, Meetings, Social Life, Social Skills

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About: Nagesh Belludi [hire] is a St. Petersburg, Florida-based freethinker, investor, and leadership coach. He specializes in helping executives and companies ensure that the overall quality of their decision-making benefits isn’t compromised by a lack of a big-picture understanding.

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