7 Ways to Make a Conversation with Anyone | Malavika Varadan | TEDxTalks

7 Ways to Make a Conversation with Anyone | Malavika Varadan | TEDxTalks

Building Connections through Conversations

Let's reflect on the power of conversations and how they help us build connections with others.

Have you ever thought about the first conversation you had with the person sitting next to you? It's interesting to consider how that initial interaction formed a link between you and that person.

Imagine each conversation as a tiny metal link. When you engage in a conversation with a stranger, a new link is formed. As you continue to have more conversations with that person, the link gets stronger and stronger.

Every day, we encounter numerous strangers - the grocery store attendant, the taxi driver, or even the receptionist at a new office. Each conversation we have with them adds another link to our connection network.

These links, formed through conversations, help us establish stronger relationships with others. They serve as the foundation for building trust, understanding, and empathy.

The Power of Conversation

We have created a massive World Wide Web of conversation. It's a catchy word, but what does it mean? A conversation is an adventure that gives you a whole new perspective. It opens doors, makes war, makes peace, and defines who we are as a human race.

Think about this: every single person in your life was once a stranger to you. You knew nothing about them until you had that first conversation. So, I'm here today to encourage you to talk to strangers, to have conversations. And I'm here to tell you how.

Seven Ways to Make a Conversation with Almost Anyone Be curious and ask questions.

• Listen actively.
• Find common ground.
• Share your own experiences.
• Show empathy and understanding.
• Be open-minded and non-judgmental.
• Practice active body language

As a radio presenter, I love talking to people. It's what I do for a living. Every single morning, I go into an empty room, put on a mic, and have a conversation with 1.6 million people that I can't see. It's a unique experience, but also a challenge.

The hardest part is...

It's time. In a four-hour show, I only have 20 minutes to talk. That's all the time I have to convince you that I am your best friend. So, how do I establish a connection? How do I make sure I inform, excite, and engage with you in those 20 minutes? But most importantly, every time I switch on that mic, I have to leave a smile on your face. Except...

I can't see you, I know nothing about you, and I have no way of gauging your reactions. How do you do it? How do you talk to a stranger?

Well, my nine years in radio have taught me these simple little tricks. Strangers, they are everywhere. And we've always been told:

Overcoming the Fear of Starting a Conversation

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you wanted to talk to someone, but you couldn't find the right words? It's a common experience - the feeling of wanting to say something but not being able to get it out. However, I have a piece of advice for you: just say it. Don't let the fear of starting a conversation hold you back.

Many times, we hesitate to start a conversation because we worry about the worst-case scenario. What if they don't want to talk to us? But think about it - if you don't say anything at all, they're not talking to you anyway. So why not take the chance?

I believe that the first word acts as a floodgate. Once you break through that initial barrier and say the first word, everything else just flows. It doesn't have to be anything complicated - a simple "Hi" can be enough to get the conversation started.

Hey Hello. And do what every good bowler does. Just gather the enthusiasm, the positivity, the energy, put on a big smile and say Hi!

I know. There's going to be that strange moment right now. Turn to someone sitting next to you

Here's my advice: skip the small talk and ask a really personal question. Don't be afraid, trust me. You'll be surprised how much people are willing to share if you just ask. So, ask any kind of personal question. For example, you could ask about an interesting name and if there's a story behind it. Or, ask about how long someone has lived in a city and if they remember their first day there. The answers to these types of questions are always unique and personal. One of my favorite questions to try is, "Where do you come from? And where does your family live?" Without fail, every single time I sit in a cab, I ask that question. Let me share a little story with you. One night, as I was coming home, I got into a taxi and opened the door...

Sit down and I asked him, "Where are you from? Where does your family live?" The Pakistani cab-driver, who was around 60 years old, proceeded to tell me about his life in Peshawar. We discussed various topics such as politics, music, family, his wife, and even his farm. After about 20 minutes of conversation, he seemed convinced that I would be the perfect match for his 26-year-old son who had a college education and was also from Peshawar. (Laughter) As I was getting out of the taxi,

He is excitedly showing a passport-sized photograph. Saying goodbye was difficult, but the lesson here is that a simple "Hello" can lead to a marriage proposal. This serves as a warning.

Find the "Me Too"s

Have you ever met someone who starts a conversation as if they're starting a debate? For example, "I am from Delhi." "I hate Delhi." This type of negativity kills a conversation. When you meet someone for the first time, make an effort to find something you have in common. Starting from that point, you will find that the conversation becomes much easier. Suddenly, both of you are on the same side of something, which is a powerful feeling.

Now, you may wonder what you could possibly have in common with a stranger. It could be anything.