Being easy to talk to may seem like a fixed personality trait. But it’s actually something that anyone can easily learn to do: saying things that help people feel included.
Beyond simple politeness, being easy to talk to happens to be a powerful social and career advantage. It strengthens relationships and makes collaboration easier, especially if you hope to manage teams, lead projects, or work closely with clients.
As a speech coach, I frequently tell clients that what you don’t say often has more impact than what you do say. Here are seven phrases that easy-to-talk-to people never use.
Few phrases shut down a conversation faster. It shows a lack of respect and empathy. It also escalates tension, damages trust, offends people and leaves them less likely to share concerns in the future — including valuable workplace information you’re going to want to know.
A similar phrase to avoid: “Don’t you think you’re overreacting?”
