How To Change The Subject By Gene Griessman, Ph.D.
Terri Gross, host of NPR’s “Fresh Air” offers this advice if you’re being interviewed for a job or if you’re on radio or TV and it’s going badly, change the subject by saying, “Let me share an experience.”
This lets you shift the conversation so that it focuses on what you’d rather talk about. If it’s a job interview, you can use a brief story focus on your strengths.
This verbal tactic is sometimes referred to as a bridging technique. This particular one works even with skillful interviewers because they can’t know in advance that the illustration you’re about to tell will shift the focus of the conversation.
Abraham Lincoln did this all the time—in the courtroom, on the platform, and in personal conversations. Lincoln would say, “That reminds me of a story.” He did it so often that it became a trademark tactic.
There’s probably no better way to change the subject than to tell a story, and tell it well.
(For the full interview, see The New York Times, 11/18/18)
Don’t get embarrassed using a spurious Lincoln quote. Here’s a quotation book you can trust.
We’ve found numerous phony quotes on popular websites and quote books. Every Lincoln quotation in this book is authentic.
“This is a book to cherish and share.”—Bill Marriott, CEO, Marriott International, Inc.
“Absolutely awesome! Inspirational and even life-changing for leaders or for general living. An in-depth exploration of Lincoln’s character, spiritual beliefs, lifetime motivations…” —Amazon verified purchaser
“Not only does Griessman give us Lincoln quotes, but he also weaves each one into a little jewel of an essay on that particular subject. In addition, this small volume contains “Biographical Notes” on the main figures cited and also a Bibliography of the sources quoted.” —Wayne C. Temple, world-renowned Lincoln scholar, critic, and author, Illinois State Archives
A stirring, inspirational treasury of quotations from our greatest and most admired president, the book offers rich material for interpretation, reflection, and spiritual guidance.
In these pages, Lincoln, famed as an orator, shares his wisdom on courage and determination, compassion and compromise, tolerance and tact—the essential traits that define character. The timeless impact of his words is as powerful as the achievements that have helped to make him an American hero.
You might also enjoy “Lincoln Speaks To Leaders by Gene Griessman and Pat Williams.