And according to licensed marriage and family therapist Tiana Leeds, M.A., LMFT, without touching on these deeper topics, we’re left with our own assumptions about others, which, of course, aren’t always accurate. “Conversation is our shortcut to understanding who someone is and deepening our connection to them,” she explains, adding that open communication can give us direct access to someone’s innermost thoughts and feelings—and also gives us the opportunity to be seen and known. As Richmond notes, good conversation is all about reciprocity.
