Celeste headlee’s (paraphrased) rules for conversation:

1. Listen.
2. Be present in the moment; don’t multi-task.
3. Don’t preach.
4. Use open-ended questions
5. Let the other person’s conversation flow; don’t jump in.
6. If you don’t know, say you don’t know.
7. Don’t equate your experience with others'.
8. Don’t repeat yourself.
9. Skip the unimportant details.
10. Be brief.