<div style=”transition: none 0s ease 0s; display: block;” data-rss-type=”text”> n <div> n n I do A LOT of talking as a Pitch Coach and while some people may say I’ve got the gift of gab (or the ability to speak with eloquence), if you pay attention, you could too. People are rarely born great communicators, but the greatest communicators have learned to not only do it but do it well. How? By using the power of observation. n n </div> n <div> n <br/> n </div> n <div> n n Follow these guidelines to better observation skills and enhance your gift of gab:n n </div> n <div> n <br/> n </div> n <div> n <font style=”color: rgb(255, 58, 173);”> n <b> n n Ask Questions n n </b> n </font> n </div> n <div> n n Getting a conversation started may feel uncomfortable, especially when you’re not entirely sure what to say. But the answer isn’t knowing what to say – it’s knowing what to ask. Take the pressure off of yourself and let someone else take the hot seat! Ask open-ended questions like, “How did you meet so-and-so?” or “What was it like doing XYZ?” Questions like these keep the conversation going and give you more material to work with which leads us to our next point…n n </div> n <div> n <br/> n </div> n <div> n <font style=”color: rgb(255, 58, 173);”> n <b style=””> n n Listen Closelyn n </b> n </font> n </div> n <div> n <span style=””> n n Asking all those questions opens doors into a person’s life. They’re giving you details that you can pick up and use to ask more questions! Observe what topic really gets them going or pick a subject they mentioned and ask them to expand on it. If you listen closely, you can always find something interesting to discuss. And that brings us to the following point…n n </span> n </div> n <div> n <br/> n </div> n <div> n <font style=”color: rgb(255, 58, 173);”> n <b> n n Take an Interestn n </b> n </font> n </div> n <div> n n Ever catch yourself zoning out? What’s worse is when someone else catches you. This can be embarrassing, especially when talking in a corporate setting. That’s why it’s important to not only get the conversation going but to take an interest in the people you’re talking to. One way to do this is by trying to envision yourself in their shoes; imagine how you’d feel, what you would’ve seen or done had you gone through these experiences yourself. n n </div> n <div> n <br/> n </div> n <div> n <span style=””> n <font style=”color: rgb(255, 58, 173);”> n <span style=”font-weight: 700;”> n n Smilen n </span> n </font> n </span> n </div> n <div> n n When a person is disinterested in a topic, it shows in their facial expressions. Pay attention to your body language, especially when your environment is busy or when a topic of discussion is a little stale. Catch when your eyes start to wander or when you start feeling bored. When all else fails, smile, mirror their emotions and keep the focus on the speaker. n n </div> n <div> n <br/> n </div> n <div> n n Even in the corporate world, the gift of gab can lead to amazing opportunities, so make sure you get good at it! Need more help? Check out my services and let’s work together!n n </div> n</div>