Conversation problems include poor listening, memory, and con- centration skills. There is usually enough time for your mind to wander while you are being spoken to, and many people speak slowly and with lengthy pauses between thoughts. The result is that your mind may wander. You can lose your concentration and even the main idea of the conversation, Ask Relevant Follow-up Questions Asking relevant follow-up questions based on what the other person has said shows you are listening. Closed-ended questions help to clari- fy facts and details. Open-ended questions encourage the speaker to elaborate and suggest that you are interested in the topic. Use Examples Ask for and think of examples that support or question what is being said. 72 / 198