Habits That Make People Tune Out: Insights from Julian Treasure’s TED Talk

Anuj Agarwal
3 min readOct 20, 2023

Have you ever found yourself in a conversation where you just can’t seem to focus or care about what the other person is saying? According to Julian Treasure in his TED Talk, “How to speak so that people want to listen,” there are specific habits that make people want to tune out and not pay attention to what you’re saying. Let’s delve into these habits and understand why they hinder effective communication.

1. Gossiping: One habit that drives people away is gossiping. When you engage in gossip, you’re often discussing other people’s personal lives or sharing negative information about them. People tend to lose interest in such conversations because it can be perceived as mean-spirited and unproductive.

Why people don’t listen: Gossiping erodes trust and respect, as it can make others question whether you might gossip about them in their absence. It also lacks substance and value, making it uninteresting to those seeking meaningful dialogue.

2. Judgmental Attitudes: Being overly judgmental and critical can quickly turn people off. When you constantly criticize or condemn others, it creates a hostile atmosphere that makes it difficult for others to engage with you.

Why people don’t listen: A judgmental attitude comes across as arrogant and…

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Anuj Agarwal
Anuj Agarwal

Written by Anuj Agarwal

Director - Technology at Natwest. Product Manager and Technologist who loves to solve problems with innovative technological solutions.

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