Start a Meaningful Conversation

Quick Win

Small talk has its place, but broaching deeper topics can be more satisfying. To go beneath the surface, ask the right questions.

Try This Today

• Open a dialogue with a friend, family member, acquaintance or even a stranger.
• Ask a question to spark an in-depth discussion. Here are a few conversation starters: What are you most proud of? If you were to write your autobiography, how would you start it? What is the most vivid dream you can remember?
• Don’t cut it short. Keep asking questions and exploring the topic.  

Why

There’s nothing wrong with chit-chat, but having meaningful conversations is worthwhile as well. Research supports making the effort. When participants were paired up in a study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, those who were asked to discuss deeper topics reported feeling more connection and enjoyment compared with those who discussed shallow topics. But, importantly, both shallow and deep conversations were less awkward than people expected, even though many were with strangers, according to the 2022 report.