*Partially based on a MasterClass from Alison Wood Brooks
Most people say that conversation is not their strength. This is different, for example, that 80 percent of drivers say they are better than average.
Dr. Brooks shares simple hints to improve conversation. All of us can benefit. Conversation is a skill.
Remember the acronym TALK
TALK stands for topic, ask, levity, and kindness.
Topics: Prepare (mentally or written) topics you can share with another person. Those would allow you and your conversation partner, especially if not well known, a degree of comfort. We'll start with volleyball - because that is why you're here.
Ask: Have some questions and work on developing better questions. You might not guess the type of questions that I'd want to know about MVB.
- Who is the funniest? I might guess Ella or Amelie. I have no idea..
- Who is the loudest and the quietest?
- Who is the goofiest? "What was that?"
- Who is the most serious?
Think about engaging questions.
Levity (humor): Think back to the SUCCESS acronym - simple, unexpected, concrete, credible, emotional stories. Humor is often unexpected, especially from a 'serious' person.
Who was the MVB career "Most Talkative?" Maggie Turner. What if she came in and said, "I'm not talking to you...(pause)...for the ten seconds." That would be a little funny.
Levity isn't easy as don't confuse humor with sarcasm or hurting people's feelings.
Kindness: We've all been on both ends of unkindness. Think of the "Silver Rule" - "Do not do unto others as you would not have them do unto you." Pull up (mentally) the "THINK" acronym.
We have to be elite at recovering after a mistake. pic.twitter.com/kzMf6zcArM
— Morgan Stuart (@MorganStuart18) September 16, 2026
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