10 Practical Tips for Better Conversations at Work
We’ve all been part of conversations at work that felt a bit… meh. The ones where nothing really lands, misunderstandings brew beneath the surface, and you both leave thinking, “Well, that was awkward” (or worse!). Then there are the great ones – energising, effortless, and genuinely productive. Ones that light a spark in you.
Whether you’re managing a team, navigating stakeholder relationships, or simply wanting to connect better with the people around you, here are 10 practical tips to help your workplace conversations become clearer, more constructive, and just a bit more human. And perhaps you’ll light a spark in someone too:
How to Have Better Conversations at Work
1. Don’t dive in – get present
Before jumping into a chat, take a moment to pause, then focus and clear the clutter from your mind. Conversations go better when we’re actually present for them.
2. Set the tone with curiosity
Approach conversations with a genuine desire to understand, not just respond. If you’re looking to sharpen your listening skills, here are some ideas.. Ask questions that start with “what” or “how” and leave space for people to think.
3. Be mindful of energy
If you’re bringing frantic, frazzled or defensive energy into a conversation, chances are that’s what you’ll get back. Pause. Reset. Then step in.
4. Ditch the script
Yes, it’s helpful to prepare, but the best conversations aren’t rehearsed. Trust yourself to respond in the moment – especially if things go a bit off-piste. And if you’re feeling emotions rising, go back to point 1.
5. Notice what’s not being said
Often, the most important messages come between the lines in someone’s body language, silence, or hesitations. Don’t rush to fill the gaps. Embrace silences.
6. Don’t confuse clarity with bluntness
You can be both direct and kind. Aim for clarity but remember there’s a person on the other side, not just a job title. They have perspectives, feelings, worries and stresses that will be different to yours.
7. Acknowledge, then explore
When someone shares something tricky or emotional, don’t skip over it. A simple “that sounds tough” before moving forward makes a big difference. Be human.
8. Make space for reflection
We’re often so busy solving or explaining that we forget to let people think. A few seconds of silence can work wonders. Silence can give someone the space to come up with their own answer without us having to solve something for them.
9. Own your impact
If a conversation didn’t land well, own it. A quick “I think I might’ve misunderstood you earlier” can help build trust and psychological safety over time.
10. Keep practising
Engaging conversations aren’t just about techniques – they’re a tool you need to practice. The more intentional you are, the more natural it becomes.
Want to get better at this stuff?
On 8th July, Lucy Harrison is running her first-ever open online course, “The Conversation Advantage: Unlocking Productivity & Performance”, based on her best-selling book Soft Skills for Tough Jobs.
It’s a one-day, live session packed with practical tools to help you have clearer, more productive conversations that actually make work feel better – for you and the people around you.
If you lead a team, manage people, work with other departments, or just want your conversations to land, this one’s for you.
Get more details and book your place.
(You’ll also receive a copy of the book in the post!)
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