Rehearsing a big presentation or jotting down some notes before a one-on-one meeting with your boss is normal.
You should use a similar, truncated practice before casual interactions, recommends conversation expert Alison Wood Brooks: Take 30 seconds before greeting the other person to think about topics to go over, questions you want to ask or your goals for the conversation.
Putting forethought into your casual chats can make you look smart, prepared and considerate — like a good friend who remembers even minute details of past conversations — says Wood Brooks, a Harvard University associate professor who teaches an MBA course called “How to talk gooder in business and life.”
Try preparing for even casual conversations, whether you’re meeting a co-worker for lunch or an old friend for dinner, Wood Brooks advises. “Even if you’re calling a friend you know well or your mom, what we find in our research is that even 30 seconds of forethought will make that conversation go better,” she says.
A small moment of mental preparation can help you stay present while you’re talking and listening, says Wood Brooks, author of the 2025 book, “Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves.” After the conversation starts, you’ll have less brainpower to come up with talking prompts or conversational segues, she adds.
