You’re sat next to someone on a flight.

They ask good questions, listen to your answers carefully, and you build a great conversation together.

You find that you’ve got some shared interests. You get a good feeling while talking to them.

Has this ever happened to you?

They’re interested in other people. They allow them to talk, rather than feeling the need to share their own life story at the earliest opportunity.

They make you feel heard, understood.

When it’s their turn to speak, they’re open about their own experiences. They have stories to tell and they’re happy to tell them but they don’t drone on and on.

They keep the ball moving. The balance between listening and speaking is just right.

They’re the interesting ones.

It takes patience and practice to develop this skill, but it’s a valuable one.

Make an effort to be interesting and the investment will pay off over time.