23 Comments
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Melanie's avatar

Holy cow.......I am absolutely floored. How could I not understand that on my own? I do this DAILY and I feel that conversations turn sour and I NEVER made the connection. I am really ashamed now. I was just so eager to CONNECT with that person....thinking that sharing would do that. It never did. I think I destroyed my social life at the office. This is going to change TODAY!!!! I am NEVER falling into that trap again.....I'd rather keep my mouth shut for the rest of my life and NOD.......when in an office setting. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS.

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Ahh...Yes!  Power with Grace's avatar

You are spot on!

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Heidi Risse's avatar

Oh god yes, I've done this too. I suppose we all have at some point. Training ourselves to be better listeners, question-askers, and communicators is a life-long lesson. This was such a great piece and more excellent advice I didn't even know I needed.

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Heike Evans's avatar

Wonderful and extremely necessary reminder for developing good conversations. I often feel at the end of an interaction that I may have "hogged" the floor and not given others more of a space to share...especially people who are not quite as gregarious. Thinking about your answer while the other person is still speaking is often a fault of mine. A terrible excuse...but none the less part of the scenario...I often feel that I have a great thought and I am scared that I will forget it ....I suppose it isn't really the end of the world if I do ! Thanks for the wonderful reminder and advice. Most appreciated.

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MVann's avatar

Fantastic. My brother has master of this. I LOVE talking with him.

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Andrea Toole's avatar

Fantastic advice that I need to be reminded of every so often. This post made me realize that I should practice it. Literally, practice - to improve and make it second nature.

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Chris Conrad's avatar

good stuff

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Lisa Riesner's avatar

thats so beautiful, maybe my podcast could be an amazing add up on your article?

https://lisariesner.substack.com/p/chosen-the-king

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Eva dick's avatar

Great advice🌸

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Samantha G 🌻's avatar

Guilty 🫣, being socially awkward I always assumed this was the appropriate response as opposed to not saying anything or not participating, but I see now how I have unintentionally pushed people away.

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Lykke Pia Jespersen's avatar

How informative. I really can use this ! Thank You

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Andrew Lynch's avatar

so true. there seems to be a bit of empathy there - they have a story, you've experienced the same. and if it's a point of connection, it might work, rather than a one-up-manship which is not empathetic

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Arklady - Diana L Guerrero's avatar

Holy cow, so glad to see this today. Gave me big insight to someone who overrides every conversation that way and how it has driven a wedge between her relationships--including mine.

And yes, I experience what you mention by chatting too much and like your suggestions. I usually take the 1,2,3 tactic but not always in conversations. Time to implement something new!

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Marisol Muñoz-Kiehne's avatar

Ask with interest,

ask some more, at least three times.

Add ours afterwards.

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Gayle Beavil, MA, BEd, CAPP 🇨🇦's avatar

Love the nudge to do the three extending questions. And... can't wait for the summer series. #yay ;)

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Maureen Anderson's avatar

Of anything I've ever read from you, Jonathan, this is my favorite! If everyone took it to heart (and I have a reminder bookmarked), what a different world it would be.

Thank you :)

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