The secret to deep, meaningful conversations is simple: bring your complete attention to the person you’re speaking with. You can do this in many ways, such as by allowing someone to finish talking before you start (a simple but highly underutilized technique). Wait until you hear the period at the end of their sentence before you think about what

Ask what you’ll need to bring to make it a fruitful discussion. Listen very carefully to what he or she says. Around this time, it wouldn’t

When you’re involved in a genuine conversation, you’re listening, and talking—but mostly listening. Listening is paying attention.