Conversation is a meeting of minds with different memories and habits.

When minds meet, they don’t just exchange facts: they transform them, reshape them, draw different implications from them, and engage in new trains of thought.

Conversation doesn’t just reshuffle the cards: it creates new cards.
Theodore Zeldin

Conversation is like a game of cards.

You might not follow the same old rules every time.

You might come up with new ways to play or new ideas to make the game even more fun.

In the same way, when two people have a conversation, they don’t just repeat what they already know. They also come up with new ideas and insights by sharing their own unique experiences and perspectives.

PS If you’re interested in having great conversations in English, you’ll love our free Speed Networking and our Chilipepper Your English group sessions.

 

Derek Siver’s Pricing Philosophy emphasises the importance of understanding the value we provide as business owners.

It’s not just about the product or service we offer, but also about the time, effort and expertise required to deliver that value to our customers.

There’s room for creativity and individuality in how we run our businesses.

Derek’s recommendation:

Pour your personality and philosophy into the way you do business. People actually appreciate it when you do things in a surprising way. It shows you care more than most — that you’re putting your self into this — that you’re not just in it for the money.

Great advice, don’t you think?

PS Derek Sivers has been “a musician, producer, circus performer, entrepreneur, TED speaker and book publisher”.

The letters th, f and v are often confused.

This video on the TEDEd site is aimed at younger children, but it can still help you master the difference in pronunciation.

Words are powerful tools that we use every day to communicate with others. They can be used to inspire and motivate, or they can be used to hurt and harm. That’s why it’s important to choose words carefully and be aware of how they can affect others.

There’s one word in particular that I try to avoid using, and that word is “should.”

You might be wondering, “What’s wrong with the word ‘should’?”

Well, let me explain.

When we use the word “should,” we’re implying that there’s a right way and a wrong way to do things. We’re telling someone else what they ought to do, based on our own opinions and beliefs. But the truth is, everyone is different, and what works for one person might not work for another.

An example

Let’s say a friend is thinking about taking on a new project at work, but isn’t sure if they have the skills or time to do it.

If you say, “You should definitely take on the project,” you may be putting too much pressure on them to take on something that could be overwhelming or detrimental to their performance.

Instead, you could say, “It could be a great chance to learn and grow, but ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if it’s a good fit for your skills and workload.” This way, you can acknowledge the possible benefits and still respect your friend’s right to make his or her own decisions.

Giving others the freedom to make their own choices

By not using the word “should,” we let other people choose their own paths and make their own decisions. We also show respect for their individuality and encourage them to think for themselves.

Words make worlds

The words we choose can make a big difference.

Let’s try to use words that empower and uplift others instead of words that put them down or judge them.

And let’s not use the word “should“!