Despite various methods of communication, the conversation still is one of the most

effective ways to exchange information and even resolve misunderstandings. But how
can we have a better conversation? Many factors are effective in having a successful
conversation, two of the most important of which are as follows:
One of the most important factors in a successful conversation is asking open-ended
questions. Questions such as why, how, what, etc. increase the quality of the
conversation and better convey the intention and experiences of the parties. I remember
the first time I wanted to get a credit card, the bank clerk suggested to me not to use
more than 35% of my credit limit. I did not know the reason at that time and instead of
saying OK, I asked why? I received a lot of information with his detailed answer and
then our conversation continued effectively regarding the methods of increasing the
credit score.
Another important factor in having an effective conversation is listening. Every
conversation is an exchange of information, and without effective listening to what the
other parties say, we will have poor communication.
Several years ago, when I was working as an instructor, by listening carefully to
students' questions and concerns during the classes, I was explaining the difficult parts
of the course in detail to ensure every student understand the course completely. In
some cases, even listening to students led to an adjustment of my teaching methods
and topics, which increased the quality of education based on the final course surveys.
Finally, maybe it is a good practice to remember the Stephen Covey once said: Most of
us don't listen with the intent to understand. We listen with the intent to reply.