Open + Curious

Are you actually interested? It could simply be a lack of interest in other people. Many people claim to dislike small talk. Certainly there are times when I’m tired and don’t have the energy for any conversation. But generally, I find small talk interesting and engaging. Many disagree. I’ve wondered if professed dislike of small…

The phenomenon of being talked at It’s not enough to sit and think about this now, as you’re reading this. You must remember to do so in the moment. If you want to have better conversations, you need to be talking with the purpose of enjoying the dynamic with your partner! Too many people simply…

Can thinking about this distinction guide us? Both fine and applied art have value. I’m drawn to the fine art. What are the participants creating during a good conversation? Certainly, good conversations have a “do no harm” undertone. But it’s the pleasure of the shared experience which is at the core. To your capability you…

Balancing observing and participating in a conversation Details that would have been lost in the blur of the experience, will stick in your mind and become mile markers. We shouldn’t rely on luck. When we find ourselves in a budding conversation, we must be intentional with what we are trying to create. I’m not suggesting…

Self-awareness as the master key We must imagine clearly and in detail where a conversation could go, and then be aware of where it actually goes. Intention is about having some reason for a conversation. If we want intentional conversations, then we must spend some time in self-reflection to discover those reasons. If we want…

Understand the balance between leaving a conversation fulfilled and seeking more. This article is based on the episode How do you end? from the Open + Curious podcast as part of a short series on Bringing conversation alive. Craig and Jesse discuss the complexities of ending conversations, beginning with the idea that most conversations naturally…

Can dialogue itself be more important than the decisions it leads to? This article is based on the episode Once awakened from the Open + Curious podcast as part of a short series on Bringing conversation alive. In this conversation, Craig and Jesse explore the concept of dialogue and its transformative power within communities. They…

Our common desire for understanding We must bootstrap our self-awareness and use that to work on our humility and curiosity. Everyone wants to be better understood. I know I do. You know you do, and from you and I it’s easy to extrapolate to saying “everyone.” But don’t take my word for it, ask people.…

Is the depth of a conversation defined by content or the experience? This article is based on the episode Depth versus aliveness from the Open + Curious podcast as part of a short series on Bringing conversation alive. I feel like it only can be deep if it if it was deep for both of…

Experimenting, observing, and reflecting on your conversations I believe we must move beyond studying, into active practice. Every time I think perhaps I should begin to work on a book about conversation, I find another book. I’m always waffling between being convinced that I do have something original to contribute, and being convinced that I’ve…