Alison Wood Brooks Decodes
How to Have Better Conversations

Ever felt lost in a conversation, unsure of what to say or how to keep things interesting? In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, we delve into the secrets of captivating conversations with HBS professor and author of “TALK,” Dr. Alison Wood Brooks. Her research reveals that conversation is a “coordination game,” where we constantly make choices, often without fully understanding the other person’s goals. She offers practical advice and actionable strategies to improve your communication skills in any setting and tells us that, by understanding the science behind conversation and the art of being ourselves, we can unlock deeper connections and ditch the awkward silences for more meaningful interactions. Learn how to become a conversational superstar by mastering the art of asking questions, injecting levity, and embracing vulnerability.

Meet our guest:

Dr. Alison Wood Brooks is the O’Brien Associate Professor of Business Administration and Hellman Faculty Fellow at the Harvard Business School, where she created and teaches a course called TALK. As a behavioral scientist, she is a leading expert on the science of conversation. Her award-winning research has been published in top academic journals and is regularly cited in media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, and NPR. Her research was referenced in two of the top ten most-viewed TED talks of all time and depicted in Pixar’s Inside Out 2. In 2021, she was named a Best 40 Under 40 Business School Professor by Poets & Quants. TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves is her first book.