How can we effectively handle conversations where multiple topics or threads are presented simultaneously, ensuring a balance between active listening, addressing key points, and maintaining conversational flow?
Craig Constantine and Jesse Danger explore navigating multiple topics gracefully, leveraging listening as a tool, and the nuanced dance of giving and receiving information.
“I often signpost. So Jesse says ‘a’ and ‘b’ and ‘c’ and throws all these things at me, and then I grab ‘b’ and I start talking about it. I often try to end with, “and I think I missed a lot of other things that you threw at me, Jesse.” I’ll at least raise a semaphore [that] I’m aware that I only did one, sorry. I think that may go a long way just because that’s the same type of behavior—or it comes from the same type of intention—as listening.” ~ Craig Constantine, 3:40
Craig and Jesse discuss the intricacies of handling conversations that veer into multiple directions simultaneously. They ponder the challenges and strategies involved when participants in a conversation introduce several topics at once, emphasizing the importance of active listening as a critical response in such scenarios.
Episode notes and resources: Hearing multiple things
——
What is Open + Curious?
You talk with others every day, but how often do you intentionally practice the art of conversation? By sharing my thoughts here, I hope to ignite your passion for creating great conversations.
Open + Curious is about discovering what better means for your conversations. You can read, listen and discuss at, https://openandcurious.org/
Hello 👋 I’m Craig Constantine. My mission is creating better conversations to spread understanding and compassion. I want us to go from simply having conversations, to actively creating better conversations.
Your support makes all the difference! — Since 2011, I’ve spent countless hours and dollars keeping my various projects going. Everything has remained free and ad-free and alive thanks to patronage from readers like you. I have no staff, no assistant… it’s just one maniac with a keyboard. If this labor of love makes your life more livable in any way, please consider aiding said maniac’s sustenance… https://openandcurious.org/support-my-writing/