Give these two scenarios some thought.
Study the picture above for 15 seconds. Let the meaning sink in. Keep reading.
In my previous post, I talked about the importance of having something in common (what I call the “point of commonality”) to start a conversation.
However, I left out one vital piece of information:
Before you embark on a conversation with someone, the most important question to ask yourself is “Why?”
Asking yourself, “Why do I want to speak to this person?”, focuses your thoughts, so you have a definite reason and end goal in mind. Once you have your end goal in mind, your brain fills in the blanks – gives you ideas of things you have in common with That Person – so you can move your conversation to its’ destination. You have a clear path ahead and you know exactly where you need to go. You’ve left zombieland and arrived back in civilization!
If you start a conversation without asking “Why?”, then your conversation will be vague and convoluted. At best, the person you’re talking to will lose interest and your conversation will die a Most Horrible Death. At worst, you could be eaten by a pack of zombies.
Look at the picture above a second time.
Of the two scenarios I mentioned above, which one would you prefer to be in?
Links In This Post:
Coffee Shop Networking http://www.timothyjohnsoniii.com/2011/06/coffee-shop-networking/
The Joy of Conversation http://www.brandstoria.com/2011/01/the-art-of-conversation/
