Communication Archives

5 Left and Right Brain Differences That Might Surprise You

What’s the difference between the left and right brain? Is one hemisphere more important than the other? In his 2009 book, The Master and His Emissary, Iain McGilchrist cites an array of scientific evidence intended to dispel the myth that the right hemisphere is “minor.” He contends that the right brain is actually dominant over the left brain and explains five significant differences between the hemispheres. Keep reading to learn about five left and right brain differences that speak to McGilchrist’s intriguing argument.

Using Stories in Conversation: Level Up as a Communicator

Do people consider you a sparkling conversationalist? Would you like to make your exchanges less predictable and boring? For a long time, orators have known that storytelling in speeches goes a long way. Stories hold people’s attention, and they powerfully convey messages. The same is true in basic conversation. However, your conversations will feel a lot less basic once you start telling engaging stories when you talk with others. Keep reading to learn how to use stories in conversation to powerful effect.

How to Create a Protagonist: Your Relatable Main Character

How can your protagonist help you figure out what details to include in your story? How can you set up your protagonist for an internal struggle and, thus, advance your plot? The protagonist is what helps you as a writer determine what details are important and what aren’t. The protagonist is who the story is about, and it’s the character your reader will need to relate to in order to feel engaged in the story and understand the importance of everything that happens. Read more to learn how to create a protagonist, according to writer and producer Lisa Cron.

5 Sci-Fi Writing Prompts: Putting the Science in Science Fiction

Do you want to write a sci-fi story but don’t know where to start? Is it important to you to include real science in your fiction? In A Brief History of Time, Stephen Hawking explains modern physics to a general audience. These ideas provide excellent jumping-off points for science fiction stories. Keep reading for five Hawking-inspired sci-fi writing prompts that will help you use real science in science fiction.

How to Stop Monopolizing Conversations (and Stop Others, Too)

Are you a conversation monopolizer? Or, do you fall victim to this and hardly get a word in edgewise? One-sided conversations aren’t really conversations; they’re monologues. Good conversationalists give each other space to talk. This requires both skill and thoughtfulness. Social interaction specialist Patrick King shows you how to cultivate these traits in his book Better Small Talk. Continue reading to learn how to stop monopolizing conversations and keep others from doing the same.

How to Compliment People: Make Them Feel Validated & Seen

What kind of compliments do you appreciate most? How can you compliment others in a way that’s received especially well? Some compliments feel better than others. That’s because they come in different categories. Social interaction expert Patrick King draws vital distinctions among categories of compliments and shows why some go a lot further than others when it comes to making people feel validated, seen, and appreciated. Keep reading for King’s advice on how to compliment people in meaningful ways.

2 Simple Ways to Maintain Physical Intimacy in a Relationship

Should you and your partner talk about sex? If so, when and how? What are some ways to communicate without words? Sharing physical intimacy in a relationship is a major way to maintain your and your partner’s happiness with each other. Relationship experts recommend that you communicate about sex. But, their recommendations for how to communicate about sex differ. Keep reading to learn these physical intimacy strategies and determine what’s worth trying in your relationship.

Questions to Make a Conversation Interesting & Meaningful

What types of questions move a conversation in a meaningful direction? How can you appropriately let someone know that you don’t require a response? Good conversations happen only if the other person feels good when they talk to you. You want to do all you can to ensure your conversation partner feels important and heard and will want to keep engaging with you in the future. One way to do this is by asking the right kinds of questions. Read on to discover how to use several types of questions to make a conversation interesting and meaningful.

How to Be a Better Conversationalist: 3 Ways to Let Others Shine

Do you prefer to talk about yourself than learn about others? Do you know how to make people feel comfortable and understood? A good conversationalist is a thoughtful one. They don’t monopolize conversations, they make people feel seen and heard, and they show genuine interest in others. In Better Small Talk, Patrick King shows how to take good care of the person you’re talking to so they want to continue the conversation. Continue reading for King’s advice on how to be a better conversationalist by being a thoughtful one.

How to Utilize Empathy in Communication Skills

Why exactly is empathy? How can you successfully use empathy in communication? In communication, empathy is important because it sets the tone for all subsequent interactions. Expressing yourself with empathy means clearly and accurately vocalizing your emotions and thoughts in a way that makes the other person willing to listen. Keep reading to learn about the psychology of empathy, how it develops, and how to express yourself emphatically.