Mastering Conversation Skills course with John Knowles
Introducing yourself to a stranger and striking up a conversation is easy to do for some people. For most others, it is not. For some, it is debilitatingly stressful. It doesn’t need to be.
If you are shy, introverted or speaking in English if it is not your first language, conversations can feel like trying to solve a tricky puzzle while under a spotlight. You may go blank or begin to repeat yourself. Perhaps your brain goes into overdrive trying to think up interesting things to say. We have all experienced the dreaded awkward silence. No more.
This course is designed to help you present your friendly best self by teaching you methods for staying in the moment and allowing the dialogue evolve naturally. You don’t need to be clever, hilarious or a trivia master to impress someone, you just need to be engaged, authentic and friendly.
I have created a program to help you achieve this.
It’s a mixture of artful strategies, hardcore listening skills and a willingness to be playful. From new Australians to business leaders, singles and salespeople to adults with Autism or Down Syndrome, this course has given each person practical tips and an easy to remember set of simple tools to make small talk fun and chit chat less challenging.
Outcomes
By the end of this Mastering Conversation Skills course, participants will know how to:
- Use small talk in everyday situations
- Open a friendly discussion
- Strategically approach and join a small group of people who are already mid conversation
- Greet someone in a way that makes you both feel comfortable and appreciated
- Keep a conversation flowing and building
- Avoid simple behaviours that make conversations turn awkward or go flat
Course content
In this practical workshop you will learn:
- Why the ability to make small talk is so important
- How to initiate conversation with strangers
- How to make yourself approachable
- How you can prepare for certain topics and useful segues
- How to make your conversation partner feel valued, heard and comfortable
- How to use D.O.D.O – John’s secret weapon for positive interactions
- How to find common ground
- When and how to change the subject
- Why it’s important and how to follow up with questions or statements
- How to keep the conversation fresh and evolving
- How to make a gracious painless exit
- How to find playfulness and humour is your discourse
Delivery
The sessions are delivered online via Zoom meetings. Participants need access to a good internet connection, a device with a camera and microphone and a quiet well-lit space in which to work. There will be facilitator-lead tutorial, group discussions plus pairs exercises done in Zoom breakout rooms. Participants are expected to engage online with their faces in view and cameras left on to encourage interaction.
What to bring
- Notepad and pen or tablet to take notes
- A list of a few of real-life scenarios where you expect to utilise your new skills
- An open and generous attitude towards sharing your experiences, personal challenges and ideas for possible solutions
