In the book Let's Talk: How to Have Better Conversations by Nihal Arthanayake
, he explores why meaningful conversation has become increasingly difficult and what we can do to improve it. Drawing on his experience as a broadcaster and interviewer, Arthanayake reflects on conversations with a wide range of individuals and identifies the habits that help create openness, trust, and genuine understanding.
Rather than offering a rigid set of techniques, the book encourages curiosity, careful listening, and a willingness to suspend judgement. It examines the assumptions we bring into conversations and how these can prevent us from really hearing one another. Throughout, Arthanayake combines personal stories, interviews, and practical observations to illustrate his ideas.
The book will appeal to anyone interested in communication, relationships, leadership, or dialogue. It is a thoughtful reminder that better conversations are less about speaking well and more about paying attention, asking good questions, and creating the conditions for honest exchange.
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Image Credits: Midjourney
(Public Domain)In-person, 7–11 September 2026, Warbrook House, Hampshire, UK
We are living and working in conditions of uncertainty, complexity, and rapid change. Many leadership approaches still rely on control, expertise, and tools that no longer fit the realities people face.
This week-long immersive workshop brings people together to practise Conversational Leadership as a shared, lived experience. It is not a training course but a space to slow down, think together, and explore how leadership emerges through dialogue, responsibility, and real engagement.