―MANAGE YOUR NERVES ⚡
Try acting out your conversations in advance and become familiar with the process of talking to new people.
―PACE YOUR SPEECH 🗣
Pace of your speech by timing yourself and actively work to speak at a consistent rate.
―TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT 👨💻
Doing this will help you detach from the situation you’re in.
―LISTEN WITH INTENT 👂
It will help reinforce that you value the time of your conversation partner.
―PRACTICE EYE CONTACT 👁
If you find it challenging to maintain eye contact, you could focus your attention on your conversation partner’s eyes, nose, glasses or eyebrows.
―ASK CLARIFYING QUESTIONS ❔
It shows the person you’re talking to that you are actively involved in the conversation.
―DEMONSTRATE A GENUINE INTEREST 😊
Use body language, facial expressions and direct language.
―REMEMBER LITTLE DETAILS 🔎
Keeping these details in mind will help provide you with conversation starters with people in the future.
―KEEP THINGS POSITIVE ➕
Try to keep things as positive as you can for the duration of your interaction.
―PRACTICE EMPATHY 💓
It will naturally drive you towards a more meaningful rapport.