How to Start and Make a Conversation: How to Talk to Anyone in 30 Seconds or Less
As our knowledge of human interaction continues to expand, we are realising more and more about how different elements of our behaviour influence others, and how important these factors are in maintaining our quality of life. My own research into how the sound of the voice influences others perceptions of your personality has revealed how just one element of communication, your voice quality, can impact on what people think of you. As a speech language pathologist, voice specialist, academic and researcher, I am impressed by the depth and scope of this book in considering the large number of elements that contribute to successful conversation. This is a great resource not only for those wanting to impress and shine in corporate or romantic encounters. It is also a wonderful resource for people from different cultures who lack confidence or feel unsure about the rules of interaction in a westernised culture. It encompasses much of the current information and common understanding of conversational etiquette in the twenty-first century. This book is a must read for all those who wish to empower themselves in their lives by connecting with others. --Cate Madill, PhD, BAppSc (Hons), BA(Hons), CPSP Voice Specialist, Speech-Language Pathologist Cate Madill Voice and SpeechAs a speech language pathologist who has been in the field for ten years, I am pleased to write a foreword to How to Start and Make a Conversation: How to Talk to Anyone in 30 Seconds or Less. The art of conversation has been a strong interest of mine since I began my studies as a speech pathologist. In my second year of graduate school, I very quickly discovered how truly challenging it is to be an effective communicator. Learning about nonverbal communication and how individuals utilize language to influence others or to convey a certain message has fascinated me during my entire career. Participating in a conversation has been one of the problem areas I have seen and worked with in many children and adults. We have addressed areas such as greetings, initiation, and termination of a conversation, as well as non-verbal communication skills. As most know, first impressions are extremely important  and Chris Gottschalk s How to Start and Make a Conversation shows readers the importance of interpreting body language, using that information to make a great first impression, adjusting one s own body language, and choosing appropriate topics to discuss. Gottschalk thoroughly explains why we, as humans, engage in communication. Abraham Maslow s Hierarchy of Needs and various sociological theories are expressed in an organized and concise manner. The theories and personality types described will help the reader understand unique needs for each individual type, and it will also help readers define themselves. How to Start and Make a Conversation provides detailed case studies of professionals and individuals who describe real-world accounts of struggles and successes in communication. The cases outline practical tips, including joining a conversation, overcoming common conversation barriers, and initiating conversation based on similar interests. Gottschalk provides strategies for unique situations that are challenging for many people, including speaking with someone who uses English as a second language. Gottschalk also includes an important chapter on Internet etiquette ( Netiquette ) and how to use information from online to help face-to-face communication. Social Web sites and online communication have become prevalent, and knowing how to properly act online and use this new information will benefit those hoping to enhance conversation and business networking skills. As a speech language pathologist, I found the information in this book to be extremely helpful. I believe it will be a great tool to help enhance anyone s personal and professional conversation skills! --Deanna Anderson, M.Ed., CCC/SLP