Conversational Moves Vocabulary

redirecting conversation to a more favorable topic

“That's an interesting point. What's really at stake here is...”

connecting the current topic to your key message

“That reminds me of a broader issue we should address...”

referencing something said earlier to create connection

“Going back to what you said about trust—I think that's key here.”

presenting the same situation in a different light

“Rather than seeing this as a problem, what if we saw it as an opportunity?”

repeating key words to show understanding and encourage elaboration

“You felt blindsided? (They: Yes, completely blindsided...)”

naming the other's emotion to validate and defuse it

“It sounds like you're frustrated by the lack of communication.”

condensing what's been said to confirm understanding

“So if I'm hearing you correctly, your main concerns are...”

strategic silence that invites the other to fill the space

“After asking a tough question, don't rescue them. Wait.”

a question that can't be answered with yes or no

“What would success look like to you?”

ending a conversation without awkwardness

“I should let you go. Let's pick this up next week.”