Conversation Stoplight
What does the red light mean?
You don't talk. You listen while others are talking.
What are Conversation Drivers?
Conversation Drivers are behaviors that help a conversation, or drive it forward, by showing interest in the topic.
What is Conversation Share?
Conversation Share teaches how to monitor talking time and keep it even with other speakers. You don't want to talk too little or too much.
What is making connected comments?
With connected comments, you are continuing the conversation by making a relevant point.
What is topic surfing?
Topic surfing means making a smooth transition into topics.
What does green light mean?
It's your turn to talk!
What are Conversation Stoppers?
Conversation Stoppers, abruptly end conversations by showing disinterest or having difficulty maintaining a topic.
If there are 2 people in the conversation, how much should each person be talking.
~50%, about a half.
Josh: I love going to the park.
Maria: I did so poorly on my math test.
Did Maria make a connected comment?
No, she talked about the math test when she should talk about the park.
What happens if you transition too early?
You crash and the conversation ends.
What does yellow light mean?
This is the time to plan what to say.
Carl: I love dogs!
Marissa: I love dogs too! What's your favorite breed?
Marissa is showing....
She is driving the conversation by making connected comments.
Marissa: What did you over the weekend?
Josh: I don't know.
Marissa: I went to Lake Tahoe. It was so fun!
Josh: stays silent
What is wrong with what Josh is doing?
Josh is not participating in the conversation.
Joe: I love superheroes. Dr. Strange is my favorite.
Mark: Dr Strange is cool; I love his powerful magical abilities. I also love Ironman.
Was this a connected comment?
Yes. Mark was talking about superheroes.
What happens when you transition well?
The conversation continues!
The group is talking about their weekend plans. Someone in the group is interrupting. This person in the group needs to.....
Use the red light-stop talking.
Jason: I went to the store yesterday.
Mary: Did you know that dinosaurs lived in the Mesozoic era?
Mary is....
stopping the conversation. She didn't maintain the topic of conversation.
Marie: I went to get ice cream at Salt& Straw. I love the new flavor!
Jake: I love the Goat Habanero flavor
Marie (Interrupts): And the Berry Slab Pie was awesome~
What is Marie doing wrong?
She is dominating the conversation.
What happens when you don't make connected comments?
The conversation can end because you aren't continuing the conversation. The other person may feel confused or hurt.
What is a way to tell when the topic is finished?
There is a pause in the conversation.
Carl needs time to process what he did over the weekend. What light does this represent? What should he say?
Yellow light
Ex: You go first-let me think about what I did.
One of my favorite things to do in the summer is go swimming. Give an example of driving the conversation. Remember to use good nonverbal body language with appropriate eye contact.
(Comment about swimming) Ex: I like swimming too. What type of stroke do you like to do?
If there are 4 people in the conversation, how much should each person be talking.
25%, a quarter
I love going to the zoo!
Make a connected comment. Remember eye contact and body language is important too.
(Make a comment about the zoo; Ex: I love going too. My favorite is Oakland Zoo.)
Maria: I did poorly on my history test.
Josh: I did poorly too. I wish I studied more.
Maria: Yeah. At least the weekend is here now. What are you doing over the weekend?
Was this a good transition?
Yes; the conversation regarding talking about the test ended and it shifted smoothly to talking about the weekend.