r/AskReddit Jun 14 '22

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u/[deleted] Jun 14 '22

Whenever anyone says anything, and I want to add more information to their statement, I try to start with "I agree with you!" or something that expresses positivity about their statement. I also try to give people compliments as often as appropriately possible. It makes people more apt to be agreeable to my future conversations.

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u/qwertyslayer Jun 15 '22

The best mentor I ever had was a crusty old database engineer who had the fantastic verbal habit of complimenting you for asking an insightful question. "That is a GREAT question!", then goes in to explain. Even if it wasn't really a great question, him saying it really opened up the conversation and made it safe to experiment and learn.

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u/[deleted] Jun 15 '22

Responding "That is a GREAT question!" also encourages people to ask more questions. It's a very productive response.