Communication Quote by Jonathan Berent
““ The Information Exchange Good conversationalists know how to balance speaking and listening. Check the scale once in a while. If you are talking too much, subtly offer the other person a chance (with a follow-up question such as, “What do you think?”). If you have been listening passively try to interject a comment or two. To make sure there is the right amount of give-and-take in your conversation, imagine that the two of you are sharing a microphone. To be polite, and create the most satisfying conversation possible, offer your point of view, and then pass the microphone to your partner.””
About This Quote
Source Article: Communication Skills, The Information Exchange, 2023
Effective dialogue requires balancing speaking and listening, using cues like offering questions and sharing the conversational “microphone.”
In simple terms: Talk and listen equally for better conversations.
Share, listen, then pass the turn.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- networking events
- team meetings
- customer service
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you tell when you’re dominating a conversation?
- What signals show it’s time to hand over the microphone?
May be hard to gauge when to speak without interrupting; timing varies by culture.