ENDING CONVERSATIONS
“misdirect to what was great. physical signal. exit gracefully.”
The Lesson
How to end conversations gracefully. Never say 'I'm done with this conversation.' Instead: misdirect to something positive while giving a clear physical signal. The physical part (handshake, pat, hug) is the real signal. Combine with: 'One last thing...' plus any excuse-need to mingle, say hi to the host, refill drink, restroom. Always redirect to what was good: 'Great talking to you,' 'Great catching up,' 'Great reconnecting,' 'Thanks for the laughs.' The pattern: appreciation + physical signal + excuse = graceful exit.
Real-World Example
A founder is trapped in a conversation at a conference. Old way: awkward lingering until the other person leaves. New way: 'One last thing. That point about market timing was really smart.' Handshake. 'Great chatting. I need to say hi to someone before they leave.' Clean exit. The other person feels good about the interaction. Both win.
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