20. From Small Talk to Meaningful Connection: How To Ask Good Questions, Listen Actively and Enjoy The Silence with Terre Short

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, my guest Terry Short author of the book "the words we chose: Your Guide to How and Why Words Matter." discusses her lifelong draw to words and how their impact on her personal and professional life led her to write a book about effective communication. She shares her experiences with how different people, including her parents, children, and workplace leaders, use words and the significant changes they can invoke. The conversation covers the generational and cultural shifts in word usage, the importance of choosing the right words, and strategies for people in leadership and healthcare to communicate more effectively. Terry provides practical examples of words that convey uncertainty and offers better alternatives. The discussion extends to the benefits of small talk, the importance of active listening, and the challenges of maintaining meaningful conversations. Finally, Terry emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and presence in communication and shares tips for empathetic responses, especially in sensitive situations like grief.  00:00 Introduction: The Power of Words00:19 Parental Influence and Early Experiences01:07 Workforce Observations and Leadership01:29 Writing the Book: Inspiration and Themes02:20 Generational Differences in Communication02:52 Leadership Communication Challenges03:32 Healthcare Communication Issues06:47 Internal Narratives and Self-Confidence12:21 The Importance of Small Talk16:06 Mastering Small Talk: Tips and Techniques21:50 The Role of Silence in Communication25:31 Mindfulness and Self-Reflection28:23 The Art of Asking Questions29:20 The Power of Curiosity29:58 Avoiding 'Why' Questions30:33 Engaging Questions for Deeper Connections35:14 Handling Difficult Conversations38:40 Active Listening Techniques48:18 The Importance of Word Choice51:39 Writing the Book: A Personal JourneyMemorable Quotes:- "Silence isn't empty, it's full of answers." – Terre Short- "Ask more, tell less. Be interested instead of interesting." – Terre Short- "We get to do the laundry, we don't have to do the laundry." – Terre Short To Purchase Terre Short's book, go to:- https://www.thrivingleadercollaborative.com/product/the-words-we-chooseConnect with Terre Short:- https://www.thrivingleadercollaborative.com  - https://www.instagram.com/thrivingleadercollaborative/?hl=en  - http://linkedin.com/in/terreshort/ Hey, if you're listening to this podcast and benefiting from it, could you help me reach more like-minded listeners by rating it 5 stars? It only takes two seconds: just pause this episode and click on the stars! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on Google, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever you listen.  Your feedback helps me reach more listeners and continue to create content that helps you communicate better. Don’t forget to share this episode with friends and family who might benefit from these insights. Thank you for listening!You can connect directly with me on:[email protected] can also follow me and  send me a DM on Instagram & Facebookhttps://www.instagram.com/roula_abou_haidar/https://www.facebook.com/RoulaAbouHaidar/Listen directly:  https://www.thelifeaffairspodcast.com/1927423And Follow me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/roulaabouhaidar