DiscoverCommunication Psychology and HR – with Gerhard OhrbandHow to become more flexible in your conversations
How to become more flexible in your conversations

How to become more flexible in your conversations

Update: 2025-07-28
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In this episode of CommunicationPsychology, we explore how to becomemore flexible in your conversations — not just talking, but trulyadapting and connecting across contexts.

Drawing from cutting-edge research, we examinepractical strategies like:

·       Building cognitiveflexibility to better tune into conversational cues (Chesebro &Martin, 2003; Richter et al., 2020)

·       Developing a communication flexibility mindset through self-awarenessand situational adjustment (Martin & Rubin, 1995)

·       Navigating cultural contexts by adapting communication styles todiverse backgrounds (Hall, 1976; Klopf, 2009)

How can we systematically broaden ourconversational horizons? By engaging with content from different regions, professions, and cultures—literature,podcasts, interviews—that challenge our habitual frames.

Tune in to learn:
✓ Why flexibility matters (for empathy, influence,resilience)
✓ How to train your conversational muscle throughexposure
✓ Real examples and exercises to deepen adaptability

Join the conversation! How have you adaptedyour communication style in unexpected situations? Drop your insights orquestions in the comments 👇 and let’s build a moreflexible, inclusive dialogue landscape together.

#communication #psychology #intercultural#flexibility #podcast #conversations #listening

Recommended reading:

Chesebro, J.W., & Martin, M. M. (2003). Therelationship between conversational sensitivity, cognitive flexibility, verbalaggressiveness and indirect interpersonal aggressiveness. Communication Research Reports, 20(2), 143–150.

Hall, E. T. (1976). BeyondCulture. New York, NY: Doubleday.

Klopf, D. W. (2009). Interculturalcommunication encounters (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Martin, M.,& Rubin, R. B. (1995). Thedevelopment of a communication flexibility measure. Communication Research Reports, 12(2), 145–158.r

Richter, F.,Segerer, P., & Knoblich, G. (2020). Anapproach to social flexibility: Congruency effects during word-by-word turntaking. PLOS ONE, 15(5), e0235083.

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How to become more flexible in your conversations

How to become more flexible in your conversations

Gerhard Ohrband, MA in Psychology (University of Hamburg/Germany)