I write this thread because I spend a lot of my time speaking with people about various different things. One could say that everyone spends a lot fo time talking to people about various different things…Ah but how well do you think you are at it?
I’m a teacher, so I hear all form of conversation either with me or as an outsider listening before class starts. In my world ones ability to communicate effectively with others is a true testament to how they view themselves. I try to be a confident speaker, respectful of others. Sometimes I think I fail miserably. Sometimes I feel great after a conversation. Even been speaking to someone and after feel completely drained? You had no time to get a word in and before you knew it the conversation was over, and your energy was effectively diminished? Or the converse. Have you ever been in a conversation and suddenly realized that you were doing most of the talking, be it because you knew the most about the subject matter or the other people in the conversation were so transfixed on what you had to say, you simply didn’t stop talking. How did you feel then? Pretty energized huh?
No this is not Phlosphr trying to bring up some wacked out kitty induced psychosis just for the sake of argument. I really want to know.
How about putting some parameters on this.
Boldness: Do you like to own a conversation? Do you like to think you have the upper hand at all times? Are you uncomfortable sitting back and listening to what others have to say?
Meek: Are you constently the listener? Never really putting your 2¢ in? Are you easily taken over in a conversation, allowing the other or others to talk over you?
Assertive: Are you confident most of the time with what you say? Do you aggressively defend your points to no end?
Confident: Are you more sage-like? Do you think before you speak more than 85% of the time? Do you let other speak and wait your turn? Are you respectful to others when in conversation?
So dopers. How do you rate yourself on your own scale? Are you a good conversationalist? Or do you avoid conversation like the plague?