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Using conversation to hone your knowledge, thinking and communication skills

In this politically charged cycle of the world one must take the time to decifer the bull shit from fact. And good effin' luck with that! So instead of trying to base your discussions and this is true based on all discussions just happens to be that politics is so "in everyone's face" right now that it is an easy target. The first concept to winning in a conversation is to have it! Having a good conversation is a win no matter what the result. Simply discussing, exploring, using conversation to both learn and educate will help both parties in the discussion assuming that's what it is, a discussion.

Common sense would state that you must listen half the time in order to have a good discussion, I happen to disagree, and really you must listen 93% of the time. This assumption is based on the idea that you can listen with your eyes, it has been said that 55% of communication is rendered non-verbal, and another 38% is tone. I have the privilege of knowing some really smart people, that have the time to think outside of the box. The concept that I "put them in a box" was revealed to me and I have done my best to change my conversations based on this concept. The easiest way not to "put someone in a box" is to listen, and I mean really listen, don't try to assume what they are thinking, inquire in what they are thinking, understand what they are thinking and then and only then can you engage in a true discussion.

Who, what why where when, don't forget to ask questions, and do your best to ask questions that don't have a yes or no answer or a one word answer. Children are the best at this, they do not ask one word answer questions, and this is because they are actually curious! If you really don't care about the conversation or the person you are speaking to you will find that you or they inherently start asking one word answer questions. Instead of asking who do you think will win the election? Ask, why do you think ______ is going to lose? Or what is your opinion on ______? From one "lost leader" question like that, you can go into a series of why's that can take the conversation for hours!

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