The Science of Conversation: How To Say What You Mean, Be Heard, and Stop People-Pleasing | Alison Wood Brooks

About this episode

<p dir="ltr">You talk all day. Here's how to do it better, according to a professor from Harvard Business School.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://alisonwoodbrooks.com/">Alison Wood Brooks</a> comes from the Harvard Business School, where she teaches a course called "<a href= "https://www.hbs.edu/coursecatalog/2227.html">TALK: How to Talk Gooder in Business and Life</a>," which she has now turned into a book, called <a href= "https://alisonwoodbrooks.com/conversation-book/">TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">In this episode we talk about:</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">The evolution of conversation </li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Why conversation is a skill — not just a natural talent </li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How to develop conversational skills, including common conversational pitfalls to avoid</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Granular, tactical pieces of advice on how to have a conversation</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">The science behind conversation that may surprise you</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Listening tips </li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Conversational repair strategies </li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How kindness can go pear shaped </li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How to handle difficult moments in conversation </li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">The difference between focusing on other people and people pleasing </li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How to integrate these incredible learnings into your life </li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How soft skills are becoming increasingly more valuable with the rise of AI <strong><br /></strong></li> </ul> <p dir="ltr">Join Dan's online community <a href= "http://www.danharris.com/">here</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Follow Dan on social: <a href= "https://bit.ly/3tGigG5">Instagram</a>, <a href= "https://bit.ly/3FOA84J">TikTok</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Subscribe to our <a href= "https://bit.ly/3FybRzD">YouTube Channel</a><strong><br /></strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Additional Resources: </strong></p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Alison's band, <a href= "https://www.thelights.band/shows">The Lights</a></p> </li> </ul> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">On Sunday, September 21st from 1-5pm ET, join Dan and Leslie Booker at the New York Insight Meditation Center in NYC as they lead a workshop titled, "Heavily Meditated – The Dharma of Depression + Anxiety." This event is both in-person and online. Sign up <a href= "https://www.nyimc.org/event/heavily-meditated/">here</a>! </p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Get ready for another Meditation Party at Omega Institute! This in-person workshop brings together Dan with his friends and meditation teachers, Sebene Selassie, Jeff Warren, and for the first time, Ofosu Jones-Quartey. The event runs October 24th-26th. Sign up and learn more at <a href= "http://eomega.org/workshops/meditation-party-2025">eomega.org/workshops/meditation-party-2025</a>.</p> <p><strong><br /> <br /></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit <a href= "https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris">https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris</a></p> <p><strong>Sponsors: <br /></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Function Health: Learn more and join using our link. Visit <a href= "http://www.functionhealth.com/HAPPIER">www.functionhealth.com/HAPPIER</a> to own your health.</p> <p dir="ltr">Factor Meals: Eat smart at <a href= "http://factormeals.com/TENPERCENT50OFF">FactorMeals.com/TENPERCENT50OFF</a> and use code TENPERCENT50OFF to get 50% off your first box, plus free breakfast for 1 year.</p> <p dir="ltr">AT&T: Staying connected matters. That's why AT&T has connectivity you can depend on, or they will proactively make it right. Visit <a href= "http://att.com/guarantee">att.com/guarantee</a> for details.</p>