Effective Conversations for Lawyers: Active Listening, Mirroring and Labelling, TED Questions, Adapting Styles, Handling Difficult Discussions, and Body Language
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Practice notes
Most of us talk all day with family, friends, co-workers and clients; you speak without stopping to consider it. In the workplace, conversation is becoming a lost skill, with email and instant messages taking the reins. Yet, many matters could be resolved swiftly with a brief meeting, rather than spending days or weeks looping on email. This Practice Note explores the craft of conversation and shares tips for making discussions more effective and productive.
Practical techniques for better conversations
Keep an open mind
Do you pause to consider who you’re addressing and what you truly know about them? Frequently, you enter a situation blinkered—replaying past encounters with that individual, armed with fixed expectations about how it will unfold, based on earlier outcomes. A more fruitful approach is to meet that person with curiosity and openness—eager to discover any fresh insight they may bring. It can be tempting to roll your eyes at the notion, especially when faced with certain demanding commercial colleagues, but if you can respond in a manner that isn’t world-weary and...
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Web page updated on 21/05/2026
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