One of the golden rules of networking is to “be interested” — to ask open-ended questions and listen well. But what about the flip side: How can you be interesting, too? It’s a trait that can make any conversation flow more easily, whether you’re meeting new people or interacting with colleagues or clients at work.
Some people have something about them that’s just naturally interesting; maybe they have unusual hobbies or travel extensively or have a really interesting job. I recently read about one CEO who earned his MBA at Harvard Business School, but he got his undergraduate degree from Transylvania University, which he calls the “world’s greatest icebreaker.”
But even if you don’t have something quite as unique up your sleeve, everyone can learn to be more interesting or cultivate interesting…um…interests. Here are some tips:
Seek Out New Experiences
“Last week, I [author Aja Frost] spent roughly 10 minutes explaining to a product manager why I’d shown up to a two-hour session about a profession I’d never tried and probably never would. ‘I’m just curious about package design,’ I told him. The truth is, I regularly go to meetups and talks on topics that are completely unrelated to my ambitions. 90% of the time I end up learning a bunch of cool new things—giving me some great conversation fodder. For instance, at that packaging panel, I learned manufacturers spray a coffee aroma onto the lids of their instant coffee jars so you get a whiff of java when you open one. I also discovered bubble wrap’s original purpose was textured wallpaper.” — Read more at The Muse.
Learn from Interesting People
“‘Curiosity leads to the accumulation of new experiences or viewpoints with which to view the world,’” explains Moses Namkung, a quant analyst at Google. Which gives you plenty to talk about and ways to meaningfully connect with others. Helpfully, “knowledge has never been as accessible as it is now,” insists CEO Evan Asano, who advises those looking to up their curiosity quotient to “read, listen to podcasts, find great websites. Learn from interesting people.” — Read more at Inc.
Know a Lot About a Little
“Almost nothing elicits more interest than genuine expertise. If someone is drawn to a topic that you’re knowledgeable about, you’ll move to the top of their list. … Richard, a financial journalist I profiled in my book Reinventing You, was able to build better and deeper relationships with his sources after he started to write part-time about food and wine. He discovered that his Wall Street contacts would proactively call him up to get information about hot new restaurants or the best places to entertain their clients. When you’re an expert in a given niche, you can often connect on a level playing field with people who, under other circumstances, might be out of reach.” — Read more at Harvard Business Review.
Or, Know a Little About a Lot
“If you have the time and money to travel the world, great. But even if you don’t, you can still learn about different cultures and historical periods by reading everything you can get your hands on. Books, blogs, periodicals — expose yourself to as many new stories and ideas as possible.” — Read more at Business Insider.
What are your tips to keep conversations interesting? Please share in the comments below.
Lindsey Pollak is the leading voice on millennials in the workplace, trusted by global companies, universities, the world’s top media outlets — and, most importantly, by millennials themselves. A New York Times bestselling author, Lindsey began her career as a dorm RA in college and has been mentoring millennials — and explaining them to other generations — ever since. Her keynote speeches have audiences so engaged that, in the words of one attendee, “I didn’t check my phone once!” Contact Lindsey to discuss a speaking engagement for your organization.
