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How Conversation Works: 6 Lessons for Better Communication

By: Anne Curzan, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Anne Curzan
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Publisher's Summary

Regardless of age or occupation, conversation can be tricky. But like it or not, it's one of the most important things you do on a daily basis. Successful conversations help you advance professionally and make, maintain, and deepen relationships. Moreover, research shows that talking, when done on a substantive level, is correlated with a feeling of happiness and general well-being.

In just six lectures, Professor Curzan teaches you key strategies that can dramatically improve your ability to converse with anyone, from strangers to supervisors. This highly practical course focuses on the fundamental principles you need to become more conversationally aware and savvy at home, in the workplace, and beyond. You'll learn graceful ways of pointing out a mistake, asking someone to do something he or she doesn't want to do, preparing a person for "no," asking for a big favor, and providing information the recipient doesn't want to hear. You'll also learn devices for skillfully opening and closing exchanges, taking turns "negotiating the conversational floor," sending people subtle signals, and sharing the conversational burden to make discussions feel more mutual and enjoyable.

Whether you want to build rapport with colleagues, promote yourself in an interview, give a winning presentation, ingratiate yourself with your boss, or even create a connection on a first date, knowing what to say and how to say it allows for more productive, smoother interactions.Professor Curzan helps you get ahead by outlining simple techniques for accomplishing all of these goals and more.

Disclaimer: Please note that this recording may include references to supplemental texts or print references that are not essential to the program and not supplied with your purchase.

©2012 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2012 The Great Courses

What listeners say about How Conversation Works: 6 Lessons for Better Communication

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Essientials

A pleasure to listen to. Felt short but it's dense with information about basic conversion protocol. It's stuff that seems obvious once you hear it, but I think many people could benefit from having these rules spelled out. Even if you only find a small fraction of the material useful, it's likely to pay off many times in the long run.

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Very good but short

The audio book was great, very interesting, I just wish it was longer. Regardless, I'd recommend it.

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A few good pointers

If you struggle with keeping a conversation going, its for you. I found that I already knew most things that were spoken about in this book.

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1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars

Good but too short

Had some good information and examples but way too short! Needs more content to be worth 1 credit

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Great learnings about something we take for granted

I like how easily digestible and interesting this book was. I took away new insights and a fresh approach to conversation (especially awkward ones).

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Excellent

Perfectly sequenced, realistic examples and application of principles, no piffle. Anne Curzan stays connected to and conveys the subject matter beautifully, practising what she preaches and allowing full absorption of the material presented.

Thank you Anne, you have a new follower

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Opened my eyes to how talking works

Learning about putting topics on the table was really useful. Also learning about indirect ways of asking as a less confronting way to talk was useful

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Recommend

A must for any leader, teacher or public speaker
Or just anyone who want to know the in and out of successful conversations

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Quick review of conversation

Great tips for how to improve your relationships with better understanding of the conversations we have each day.

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Clear and Concise. Easy to Understand

The Presenter definitely practices what she preaches. Clear and concise lessons, easy to listen to and even the example conversations aren't too cringe.

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.