Perhaps one of the fastest ways to meaningfully connect is to simply take interest in the other person. People want to be seen and valued, and the fact that you are trying to listen and engage says a lot about you.
Instead of trying to devise ways to dazzle a person with your stories or accomplishments, reframe your thinking to be about curiosity in who they are as a person, interests, and viewpoints.
Active listening is key here. It means engaging fully in the conversation, eliminating distractions, and responding mindfully to what another person shares. It can be as simple as maintaining eye contact, nodding in agreement or asking follow-up questions to show that you are fully engaged.
Keep in mind that engagement is key, your interest has to be genuine because empty praise or detached answers will be immediately apparent.
Being genuinely interested in somebody means not only listening but also observing and acknowledging who they are as a unique individual.
You build a relationship based on the genuineness of your understanding and respect of someone. This opens the door to developing a deeper relationship that is based on mutual care and interest.
Note: Stay away from one-size-fits-all questions and choose ones that will allow for more substantive conversation like, “What most inspires you?” or “What’s a passion of yours that gives you flow?”
Thoughtful conversations are a great way to make your conversations exciting and meaningful.