The rhythm of a conversation

Over the break, I'm sure you had some memorable conversations with friends or loved ones. Those conversations that are easy. They flow. There's a natural rhythm to the conversation that replicates the natural rhythms in nature. There are others where you might show a genuine interest in the other person, you ask questions, you actually listen to their answers, engaging in their response and ask follow up questions to gain more understanding of where they're coming from. Then the person you're speaking with will ask you a question, and within 20 seconds you know that person has disengaged, is thinking about something else, is distracted by an activity or something around them, and is not in fact listening at all, there's no rhythm. It's almost like a good conversation needs to have reciprocity. Not tracking it as a numbers game of who said what, but reciprocity like a balance, a rhythm, a flow, that goes in both directions. Both parties are curious, actually listen, take what's being said, ponder and stay in the conversation together. Sadly it seems that reciprocity, balance and flow is starting to dwindle in many conversations, relationships and meetings. Great pic Etienne Boulanger thank you. ​