How to Talk to Anyone, Leil Lowndes

1 TECHNIQUES FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

- Read magazines and publications related to the interests and industries of the people you want to communicate
with, to gain insider knowledge and be able to hold discussions on their interests.
- Research customs and taboos of foreign cultures before travelling or doing business abroad, to avoid making
cultural faux pas that can potentially harm business opportunities.

2 IMPROVING INTERACTIONS
- Use analogies familiar to the person you are talking to, such as sports or hobbies, to clarify the situation instead
of using old-boy analogies.
- Use empathisers, and complete sentences instead of the usual grunts like “uh huh” or “yeah” while listening to
someone talk to show that you understand and encourage them to continue.
- Fine-tune empathisers to show that you see, hear, or feel it with them.

3 GIVING COMPLIMENTS
- Use "Accidental Adulation", which involves sneaking in a compliment as a side comment.
- Use "Killer Compliment" to give a personal and specific compliment that will leave a lasting impression.
- Give compliments sincerely and only one per recipient every six months.
- Deliver compliments in private and make them credible.

4 CREATING AN IMPRESSIVE OUTGOING VOICEMAIL MESSAGE

- Keep the message short, professional, and friendly without music, jokes, or inspirational messages.
- Change the message daily to give the impression of being conscientious and reliable.
- Avoid leaving messages that may be boastful or neglectful, as they can affect how people perceive you and
your business.
- Consider the importance of timing when making phone calls.

5 INSTANT REPLAY
- Record important business conversations to catch important details and subtleties missed during the first listen.
- Set up an Instant Replay ethically and legally.
- Use a six-point party checklist when working for a party like a politician.
6 MAKING A GREAT ENTRANCE AND MEETING PEOPLE
- Use "Rubberneck the Room," where one should stop in the doorway and survey the scene s-l-o-w-l-y with their
eyes.
- Use "Be the Chooser, Not the Choosee." Participants in a networking seminar are asked to form a circle, walk
around the room and silently stare at each other to make intense eye contact to choose four people they most
want to talk to during the break.
- Use an opening phrase like "Hi, I'm [name]. I wanted to talk to you” to meet people at the party easily.

7 COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES
- Echo the emotions of the person you are communicating with.
- Turn mistakes into a gain for the victim.
- Give people an escape hatch even when they're at fault.