The ability to converse, and to share ideas, is one of the features that put humans at the top of the food chain. And yet we disregard this talent to our detriment. Research shows that good communication is on the decline, impacting both our ability to relate to one another and, more importantly, our willingness to accept other worldviews. In the Western world, we are perhaps more polarised in our thinking than we’ve ever been.

Yet in parallel, we constantly hear that the key work skills of the 21st Century will be those that a software algorithm can’t simulate. Robust, effective, respectful two-way conversation sits at the heart of that. We Need to Talk is a fantastically well-argued book, underpinned by Headlee’s twenty-year career in radio journalism, and her own quest to deliver better on-air conversations, and better off-air relationships. 

With so many benefits to reap from thoughtful conversation, both at work and in our social lives, practicing better conversations is without doubt one of the key areas that we all could do with improving.