Whether you are trying to establish common ground in a discussion about politics, growing tired listening to your sibling boast about his millions in the bank, or feeling uneasy due to the spread of workplace gossip, there are always choices in how to react and reply. As someone who has been in all of the above situations, here are my best suggestions for handling some of the stickiest of sticky situations.
Tips for "turning around" a conversation:
Tips for "turning around" a conversation:
- When talking to someone who voices strong views that don't align with yours, find humor in your differences.
- Re-direct a chronic complainer by asking the person to suggest solutions.
- If you find yourself repeating the same points, take a deep breath and just listen.
- If your colleague is trashing a coworker, say, "Funny, he/she has the nicest things to say about you."
- When someone is bragging about him/herself, compliment the person and change the subject. If this doesn't work, excuse yourself and walk away.