How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Initiate new topics

Techniques > Conversation techniques > Steering the conversation > Initiate new topics

Description | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Change the subject, starting some discussion about something other than the previous topic.

Find a point to interrupt and start the new conversation. This is often a good thing to do when the discussion is flagging and people are beginning to repeat themselves.

If you are not easily able to start new topics, you could prepare beforehand with a topic list.

Example

Well, that's that...So what shall we do tomorrow?

Hey, did anyone see Jeopardy last night?

This is getting boring. Let's hatch a plot to assassinate the president. I think feeding him 544 peanuts should work.

Discussion

Changing the subject is an act of control in a conversation and thus positions you in a position of relative power.

Initiating a new topic when conversation is slowing down shows initiative and ability to sustain the conversation. This will also position you as a relative social leader.

As the initiator, you will gain more attention as the assumption will be made that you have a particular interest in this topic. This will help keep you as the focus of attention and so able to steer further the direction of the conversation.