How to have meaningful conversations for change
Many people want to make the world a better place, but they don’t know how to have the conversations that will lead to change. Oftentimes, these conversations can be difficult, heated, and emotional. However, there are some ways to make them more productive and meaningful. First, it’s important to really listen to what the other person is saying. Try to understand their point of view, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Second, be respectful and open-minded. It’s okay to disagree, but try to do so without attacking the other person. Finally, be willing to compromise. Every conversation is an opportunity to learn and grow, so approach each one with an open mind and a willingness to find common ground. With these tips in mind, you can have productive conversations that lead to positive change.
One way to have a meaningful conversation is to ask lots of questions. King said, “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” What Martin Luther King means by this is that you should be persistent and never give up on your dreams. When people are persistent, it eventually leads to success. Another way to have a meaningful conversation is to be respectful. You should always treat others the way you want to be treated. Lastly, it’s important to be open-minded when having a conversation. You should be willing to see both sides of the story and understand where the other person is coming from.
Conversation is a two-way street. In order to have a successful conversation, both parties must be willing to share their thoughts and listen to the thoughts of others. However, there will be times when you will encounter someone who disagrees with you or who has an objection to what you’re saying. It’s important to be respectful when handling objections so that the conversation can continue in a productive manner. Here are a few tips on how to respectfully handle objections in a conversation:
- Listen attentively. It’s important to really listen to what the other person is saying and try to understand their point of view. If you’re only thinking about what you’re going to say next, you’re not truly listening.
- Ask questions. If you’re not clear on what the other person is trying to say, ask questions for clarification. This shows that you’re interested in understanding their perspective.
- Acknowledge the other person’s feelings. Whether you agree with the other person or not, it’s important to acknowledge their feelings. Let them know that you understand where they’re coming from and that you respect their opinion.
- Avoid getting defensive. It’s easy to get defensive when you feel like you
Responding to objections is something that can be difficult, but when you’re trying to have conversations for change, people will inevitably have questions or arguments during your conversation. It is important to listen to people when you’re talking to them, and be prepared for them to object or argue… Answer their questions, but never make up an answer! If you don’t know the answer to a question, be honest! Just say something like, I’m not quite sure about the exact details about that, but you can always check out this great website for more information! If someone has an objection or argument, don’t let it get you hot-headed.
There is another framework you can use for handling objections: the explore, equalise, elevate framework.
Explore: Explore the objection & figure out what the real issue is. Ask questions like ‘tell me more about why you think that?’ Clarify what their objection is; is it a lack of information, misinformation, or are they just blatantly against the issue?
Equalise: Acknowledge what the person has said, even if you don’t agree with it. They need to know that you are listening to them. You can say things like ‘I can understand why you feel that way…’
Elevate: Educate them using facts. Provide reasons about why we are asking people to take a particular action. This should be positive, you want them to leave feeling empowered. Try, “Did you know that…., I thought that too until I learned that……, together x number of people have told the government they care, and y was the result……,“Together, we can…”
