When I picked up The Art of Conversation I expected a practical handbook—and that’s exactly what Khurshed Dordi delivers. The book is positioned as a guide to remaking everyday exchanges into conversations that build trust and create results, not just information swap.
What the book teaches
At its core the book pushes three connected habits: presence (showing up fully in the moment), curiosity (asking the right kinds of questions), and empathy (listening to understand rather than to reply). The publisher emphasizes the role of questioning as a tool for deeper connection, and much of the book is arranged around how to design conversations deliberately—especially in professional and high-stakes settings. That emphasis felt practical rather than theoretical.
Practicality and structure
I liked that the book reads like a coach in paperback: short chapters, clear frameworks, and exercises you can try in a meeting or a dinner conversation. From the publisher pages and launch coverage I saw this is intentionally a hands-on manual aimed at professionals who want immediate impact—so the examples and tactics are pitched for quick adoption. That makes it a useful reference to pick up again when you need to prepare for a difficult talk.
Strengths I noticed
The book’s strongest feature is its insistence that conversation is a skill you can practice. It doesn’t sell quick hacks; instead it shows small, repeatable shifts—how to ask an open question that invites story, how to hold silence without panicking, how to reframe a defensive comment into curiosity—that actually change how people respond. Because the structure is pragmatic, I felt I could try specific moves the next time I led a meeting or navigated a tricky personal chat.
Things I’d have liked more of
If I have a reservation, it’s that readers who want deep academic grounding or new research on conversation may find the book intentionally light on heavy theory. The aim is practical application, so the book sacrifices long academic dives for usable tactics. That’s a design choice—fine for readers who want action, less ideal for those who want exhaustive evidence.
Who I’d recommend it to
I’d recommend this book to managers, team leads, coaches, and anyone who wants to make their everyday conversations more intentional—especially if you value quick, actionable guidance over dense theory. It’s equally useful for people who want to build rapport in networking or client situations, because the tactics are broadly applicable.
Final take and rating
Overall, The Art of Conversation is a solid, well-executed practical guide. If you’re serious about upgrading how you connect with people—professionally or personally—this book will repay the attention you give it. In my view it’s a 4.5 out of 5: high marks for usefulness and voice; a small deduction only because it’s intentionally light on academic sourcing.
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