Small, open-ended prompts can lower defenses, spark curiosity, and make space for warmth again. Try one tonight. No pressure, just connection.

Whether you're at a dinner party, networking event, or just meeting someone new, having conversation starters in your back pocket can mean the difference between a memorable interaction and another ...

Over half of all Americans report having some anxiety around social situations, and 12% of the population gets anxious enough to meet the criteria for Social Anxiety Disorder, according to data from ...

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Jumping into deep conversation with your partner can be a special kind of intimidating, but it can also ...

1. What drew someone to their work, and what they love most about it now. Telling someone that you’d “love to hear” about this comes across as instantly classy and kind. It’s a portrayal of curiosity ...

At your holiday dinner table, you know it’s important to stay away from controversial topics like politics, but what do you do if you don’t want to revert to retelling old family stories over and over ...

How much time are you wasting at business networking events with that tired, overused opening line: "What do you do?" I can’t imagine a more boring way to introduce yourself to a new contact; it ...

Part four in a five-part series on communication and cultures of trust Welcome to the latest installment in a series on trust and communication. Last week we talked about what leaders can do to create ...

Dear Jean: When I am with my grandchildren, I don’t know what to talk to them about. They just sit on their phones. We don’t seem to have anything in common. Do you have any ideas? Answer: Sometimes, ...