Do Conversation: There is no such thing as small talk

Why do some conversations flow, while others are stilted and awkward? Can we make difficult conversations easier?

Conversation is about more than communication. It’s how we connect with each other and make sense of the world – it’s an essential part of being human. And something we're naturally very good at.

Robert Poynton explores and celebrates this "everyday miracle hiding in plain sight". By drawing on many rich and diverse conversations, he offers simple ways to hone our natural skills to overcome anxiety, converse more skillfully and have more meaningful exchanges. In Do Conversation, you will:

Discover it's not about being clever, witty, or winning argumentsLearn to listen and hold spaceCreate the conditions for more fruitful conversationsUnderstand how a bit of simple structure can helpConversation is more than light-hearted chat or formal discussions. It's a highly responsive, improvised exchange that leads to new ideas, deeper relationships, and a better world. Let's talk!

About the Author

Robert Poynton divides his time between an off-grid house in rural Spain and Oxford, where he is an Associate Fellow of Green Templeton College and the Säid Business School. At Oxford University his work is practical, not academic – the workshops and programs he runs are designed to help leaders have conversations they don't normally have. He has also worked with clients including the BBC, Chanel, Merck, Unilever, and Airbus.

In Spain, he hosts experiential events for individuals like Reading Retreats – which uses books to spark off conversation, and the Creative Tapas Experience – a rapid process of collaborative making which catalyzes a wealth of creative conversations. He is also co-founder of Yellow Learning and On Your Feet, an improv-based consultancy in Portland, OR. He has spoken and led workshops at The Skoll World Forum, The D-School at Stanford University, Singularity University, and The DO Lectures. He is the author of Do Pause (2019) and Do Improvise (2013, 2022).