The behavioural science behind conversations that actually work
Available on
YouTube & Spotify
Podcast
Diary of a CEO
Behaviour Stage
Engagement
Overview
In this episode of The Diary of a CEO, host Steven Bartlett sits down with Harvard behavioural scientist Alison Wood Brooks to explore why many conversations fall flat and how better communication transforms relationships and influence. Brooks draws on decades of research in social psychology and communication science to explain what makes interactions succeed or fail, offering practical insights you can apply in personal and professional settings.
Their conversation covers frameworks for improving connection... including the importance of topics, questions, kindness, and levity... and why small conversational habits often have outsized effects on trust and engagement. This isn’t just about talking more; it’s about understanding the psychology of how people connect and why many of us struggle even with everyday dialogue.
Why this matters for security behaviour
Effective communication is at the heart of secure behaviour because misunderstandings and unclear expectations are often where vulnerabilities begin. Whether it’s reporting an issue, escalating a suspicion, or collaborating under pressure, better conversational skills increase clarity, reduce misinterpretation, and promote psychological safety... making teams both more resilient and more cooperative in the face of risk.
Key Takeaways
- Small conversational moves have big behavioural impact
- Open-ended questions and active listening build engagement
- Kindness and levity improve trust and reduce defensiveness in dialogue
- Structured frameworks (like Alison's TALK framework) make communication skills teachable