Elite Business Connector Podcast
If you're in the people business then this podcast is for you. Learn how to develop and master business social skills. This podcast has both content-driven and interview-driven episodes to keep the podcast creative. High energy, fast-paced, and practical.
Elite Business Connector Podcast
003 - Are You Doing These Proven Methods In Your Conversations?
Think of your last really good conversation… Seriously. Really think back to your last really memorable conversation…
- Who are your top three best conversationalist? Two? One?
- Why do they stand out?
- What do they do that put them into this category?
The ARE Method (ARE is an acronym - Anchor / Reveal / Encourage)
ANCHOR – You want to start off by anchoring your conversation on a specific topic that you will both have shared interest in. It’s best to bring up a topic that you are mutually experiencing at the moment.
REVEAL – After you use an anchor to start a conversation, you must continue to reveal something about yourself. You can’t just leave the conversation at the anchor; otherwise it will go quiet and awkward again. When you reveal something about yourself, it makes the conversation more personal and interesting.
ENCOURAGE – Once you’ve done your job of starting the conversation and revealing something about yourself, you need to be able to encourage them to talk next. The ARE method is a great way to get small talk started, as it covers all of the important bases.
Me Too Moments
I love trying to find the “Me Too” Moment (M2M) on a conversation. How does it work? When a similarity is mentioned, say “Me too” but then this is the absolute key: get right back to “them” - don’t take this moment and take the conversation hostage.
Think of a news broadcast where someone is onsite bringing the news. At the end of their report they always end with the same four words, “Now, back to you.”
Those are four perfect words to use after “Me too” so after you let someone know “Me too now back to you” is a simple one-liner which lets the communicator know you’re absolutely listening and you have similarities.
They may choose to have you jump right in right then. They may circle back. Or they may simply forget. Your job is to respect the moment no matter what they choose to do.
It shows high emotional intelligence to be able to resonate and leave the next response into the other person’s hands.
Too many people get excited for the “Me too” moment and unintentionally steal the spotlight and hijack the moment. They mean well but just simply unaware of what is happening in that moment.