Avoiding Monopolization in Discussions

🌟 It's time for my 13th post in the series of sharing 30 TED Talks insights for the greater good. Today, I am excited to share some lessons from the TED Talk by Celeste Headlee (she/her): "10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation." This talk impacted the way I approach conversations, and I believe these takeaways will resonate with you too. Here’s my top 3, & do checkout the full talk in 1st comment. 🚫 1. Don't Multitask While Having Conversations 🚫 In our fast-paced world, it's so tempting to multitask, especially during conversations. However, Celeste reminds us of the importance of giving our full attention to the person in front of us. Recently, I experienced the significance of this lesson during a conversation with my close friend. She was sharing her dreams and aspirations, and I consciously put away my phone and stopped any other distractions. The connection we shared was palpable, and it made me realize how much deeper our conversations can be when we fully invest ourselves in the present moment. 💡 Reflection: By focusing solely on the conversation, we not only show respect to the speaker but also foster a more meaningful exchange of ideas and emotions. 🙅 2. Don't Pontificate 🙅 We all love to share our knowledge and experiences, but Celeste urges us to avoid pontification during conversations. It's not about showcasing how much we know; rather, it's about listening actively and understanding the other person's perspective. This struck a chord with me when I recalled a recent team meeting. Instead of dominating the discussion with my ideas, I took a step back and encouraged others to share their thoughts. The atmosphere became more collaborative, and we generated innovative solutions together. 💡 Reflection: True growth and learning come from humility and openness to diverse viewpoints. Embrace the value of listening and allowing space for everyone's input. 🤔 3. Don't Precursor Questions 🤔 How often have we asked questions loaded with assumptions? Celeste advises against precursory questions as they can unintentionally lead conversations astray. I vividly remember an interaction with a colleague. Instead of asking, "You must be busy with your project," I inquired, "How has your project been progressing?" This simple shift allowed him to share the challenges he was facing and the support he needed, fostering a more authentic and supportive conversation. 💡 Reflection: By asking open-ended questions, we create a safe environment for genuine dialogue, devoid of judgment or bias. 💬 In Conclusion: Engaging in meaningful conversations is an art that requires practice and intentionality. I encourage all of us to implement these insights from this TED Talk in our daily interactions. Let's be fully present, listen with empathy, and approach conversations with curiosity and humility. Together, we can create a world where conversations are catalysts for positive change and understanding. 🌟 #tedtalk #BeingCurious

If no other woman has asked a question, I find a question to ask. Who does this too? It often means that at least one woman has spoken. I’ve seen a lot of progress in this area, notably attending Alicia’s fabulous talk at Asia Society France, Schwarzman Scholars seminars (photo), and Roxanne's great talk by flomodia late last year in Paris. However, I still attend quite a few events where the panel is primarily made up of men, and so is the audience. Even when there are women in the room, the discussion is sometimes monopolised by men. I’m not pointing fingers, but it's something to be aware of. So: ✨ if you're a woman, ask that question at the back of your mind - you'll likely encourage others to do so too. ✨ if you're a man, encourage women to enter the dialogue and ask for their opinions. ✨ if you're organising events, do your best to have balanced panels, balanced speaker opportunities, and balanced audiences (& questions!). A diverse room ignites a better dialogue.

I’ve witnessed firsthand the frustration that arises when speakers dominate the conversation, leaving little room for others to contribute. To maintain professionalism and foster a meaningful discussion, it’s essential to share relevant insights while allowing space for fellow panelists to share their perspectives. When I’m a panelist, I make it a point to: Research fellow panelists and their areas of expertiseOffer cues to encourage less participatory panelists to contribute. For example, ‘Daniel is great at social media marketing and I think he can shed more light on this’. By embracing this mindset, you’ll not only elevate your own panel discussion experience but also contribute to a more engaging and informative conversation for the audience. #communication #publicspeaking #paneldiscussion