When you’re meeting new people, you’re probably spending a lot of time focused on how you appear and what you sound like. If you want to build a genuine connection with someone, though, get your mind off yourself and start getting curious about them.
Picture: Stephan Roehl
As business blog Inc explains, most people like it when someone else demonstrates an interest in them. It’s easy to see small talk as a boring pleasantry you’re forced to endure, but in reality, most people have something interesting you can ask about. When you’re meeting someone for the first time, get curious. More often than not, they will be open to responding:
If you can get the other person talking, and keep them talking, odds are they will be drawn to you. Be interested and open-minded; ask questions that spark their imagination and ignite conversation.
Of course, coming up with topics to inquire about can be intimidating right off the bat, but they also tend to snowball. If you can get your conversation partner talking about a hobby, career prospect, or interest, you can probably ask more about it. All you need to do is find one passion of theirs and the floodgates open.
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