For many years one of the best talk shows on TV was the Larry King Live on CNN. The Atlanta based superstation reached audiences around the world which made the talk show even more important for people to want to be on. The host is Larry King and part of the lure of the show was information, part was entertainment and a huge part of the appeal was the ability of the host to bring out the sincerity and honesty of the guest. Every group has a communication strategy – what message they want to get out and as members of the public we know this; the sincerity of the person is why we keep listening or watching. Larry King who has done it better than most – offer his secrets which are not really secrets just very hard to do every day. One of Larry King’s books is How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere – The Secrets of Good Communication, Crown Publishers, NY, 1994.

The fundamentals of a successful conversation are honesty, the right attitude, interest in the other person and openness about yourself.

If you are honest – the public or the listeners will continue to listen for they understand if you have missteps.

The right attitude is you will keep on talking and you will strive to improve. If you go into a group the right attitude is to talk to 3 or more people; some will talk to everyone, most of us are naturally shy, if we meet 3 that is good.

Interest in the other person is a key and asking why is a great question. If you ask why the answer tends to open up the person to talk to about themselves and what they are thinking. The object is not to become your best friend, think acquaintance. If you ask why? Then your obligation is to listen to the answer including using body language to listen which means keeping eye contact and responding to their comments. Good follow-up questions are the mark of a good conversationalist. Larry King in his role as talk show host would have done research, but listening always opens up other questions.

The openness of yourself does not mean all the details of your life but something that defines you – Larry talks about being from Brooklyn and being Jewish. Those two elements give the listener knowledge of themes about Larry.

What does The Best Talkers Have in Common

They look at things from a new angle – taking unexpected points of view on familiar subjects

They have broad horizons – they think and talk about a wide range of issues beyond their daily lives

They are enthusiastic – displaying a passion for what they are doing

They do not talk about themselves all the time

They are curious – they ask why? They want to know more about what you are doing

They empathize – they try to put themselves in your place, to relate to what you are saying

They have a sense of humor – they do not mind using it on themselves or stories about themselves

They have their own style of talking.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, as investors you look to people talking about the companies you invest in, whether it is the President, the communications specialists, the analysts. Depending on whether you believe them, you will either confirm or play into doubt of your ideas and alternatives. We all are looking for that confirmation to buy, hold or sell and communication plays a role in that determination. The rules of communication do not change but when it does, something seems to be missing.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.