communications over telephone
How can you stay on track when others don't have a specific focus?
I agree with the fact of having an outline to help guide you while you are on the phone. It does help keep the conversation on track.
Great awareness Ben! Staying on track is an important part of managing the flow of conversation -- and both a script or an off-topic student can challenge that flow. I welcome input from others about best practices they have seen/used to re-focus those off-topic communicators. One method is to use powerful questions to redirect the person back to the focus of the conversation.
Dr. Jean Norris
As several others have already mentioned, I think having an outline or a type of script does help with keeping conversations on track. The danger with this however is that our focus can become a hinderance. If we become so focused on getting through a script or a set of talking points, we may miss important information from the person we are having a conversation with.
My question is how do you maintain control of the conversation when the person you are speaking with does most of the talking and continues to go off topic? With out sounding rude, uncaring, or interrupting, what is the best way to re-focus the conversation and maintain control?
Milagros,
Tis is a good technique. Anything more?
Dr. Jean Norris
I try to say their names several times in my sentences in order to keep their attention
Thanks for sharing Glenna. Having a framework for your conversations can also be helpful in setting up "guardrails" to give you the opportunity to learn about the caller and prevent you from discussing information that might be outside of your scope of knowledge.
I believe the best way to keep focus would be to have a plan or outline to follow. I use a phone outline to keep me on track of the conversation.
These are great approaches, Kimberly. I especially like that you focus on the positives and what you can achieve together. Keep up the good work!
I try to engage others around me, or redirecting them to our common goal by reminding them, as gently as possible. It may be a subtle comment or remark, or by re-enforcing positive outcomes by our actions. This helps our staff stay together, focused and thinking as ONE unity, so that we can accomplish our common goal. That is, to take care of the student!
Great insight, Chris. Maintaining your focus and motivation is key when working to achieve your goals. How do you maintain your focus when situations arise that might throw you off track?
I believe if you have a set goal, what is going on around you has little to no effect on what your focus is. Just maintain YOUR focus and try not to worry about any one else's.
Thanks for sharing your tip for having additional questions ready to further engage your student, Nancy.
This is an interesting question because it is a situation that happens often. Having a couple of questions prepared to ask to return the conversation to the intended subject or direction is helpful.
Interesting question, Ivette. One suggestion for staying on track would be to have a framework to follow in your conversations. A framework establishes a purpose for your conversation. What are some techniques that you have used in the past to help another person get back on topic in a conversation?
