For most of us, conversations are an important part of daily work. We meet with managers about priorities or shoot the breeze with colleagues. 

Let's be honest: not every conversation feels like a breeze. some interactions flow effortlessly, while others leave us feeling hesitant or out of sync. Whatever socializing you face today, here’s one approach to make it better: Treat it as a learning experience.

Everyone has something to teach you; start practicing that mindset and even those more challenging or dreaded conversations become useful.

Here's how to make this nice thought into a daily habit.

Start Learning from Everyone

1. Reframe your questions:

Choose your questions carefully. Leading questions don’t leave much room for sharing. Instead, start with Where, When, Why, or How, and use follow-ups to uncover deeper insights.

2. Seek out diverse perspectives:

Step outside your comfort zone to engage with people from diverse backgrounds and see things differently. Apply this approach to daily interactions and find new depth in existing relationships.

3. Start a learning journal:

At the end of the day, jot down one thing you learned: A concept, a detail about a colleague, or a word. Writing it down reinforces your learning and helps you establish this new mindset.

What insights will the next conversation bring? Can you see how asking yourself this question already makes it more exciting? To become a student of every conversation, try prioritizing one of the above each month, for the next three months. Let us know how it goes.