Throughout the communication literature there is much
research, theory, and discussion on small group leadership. There are even
textbooks in group and team leadership. But, there’s little on conversational
leadership. Who leads a simple social conversation? What makes a conversational
leader? [By “conversational leader” I simply mean someone who controls and literally
leads the conversation in the direction he or she desires.] What does a
conversational member do that results in attaining leadership? Here are a few
thoughts on conversations that are largely face-to-face, though with minor
adjustments, they can easily apply to social networking conversations.
