This episode of Coaching for Leaders interviews Alison Wood Brooks, a Harvard Business School professor and expert on conversation, about her book "TALK." The discussion centers on the importance of topic preparation before conversations, even informal ones, to improve their quality and reduce anxiety. Brooks argues that while conversational skill seems innate in some, it's a learned skill, and pre-planning topics, even briefly, allows for more engaging and mutually interesting discussions. She emphasizes the importance of both leading and following in conversations, and suggests viewing small talk as an opportunity rather than a chore. Listeners gain practical advice on improving their conversational skills by preparing topics in advance and adapting to the flow of the conversation.
