" “Belief alignment” is only one reason among many to have a conversation—and it’s not even the most important one. **Conversations are much more fulfilling when they function as a way to peek into each other’s lives and talk about the real stuff we’re going through: connecting with an unhappy son, taking on large lifestyle changes, or contemplating our relationship to mystery and the universe. When the function of a conversation shifts from the single driven purpose of being right and discovering truth to a broader landscape of open questions and curiosities, the words and language that can be used to describe our experiences and relationships also become more rich.** When I asked big open-ended questions, the answers were filled with information I never would have been able to seek out on my own. They gave me a look into the mental models and belief systems of people who see the world fundamentally differently from me, and I was able to acquire some of the language of their minds as well." (~[Locatio n 1744](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B081J97HLQ&location=1744)~) -- [[202308181241 — AtN — Embrace feelings of discomfort as they may reflect a growth mindset]] and [[202308181107 — AtN — Staying calm within disagreements can be a superpower]] and [[202308170954 — AtN — Productive disagreement can be a superpower]] *** **Tags** — [[quotes]], [[influence]], [[negotiations]], [[empathy]], [[listening]], [[asking-questions]], [[relationships]], [[diversity]], [[collaboration]] **Source** — [[202308170952 — B — Why Are We Yelling]]