How can I steer a conversation back on track when it goes off-topic?

How can I steer a conversation back on track when it goes off-topic?

You can gently redirect the conversation by acknowledging the off-topic point and then asking a related question.

What if the person insists on continuing with the off-topic discussion?

In that case, you might say something like, 'I appreciate your thoughts on this, but I’d love to hear your views on our main topic.'

Are there specific phrases I can use to redirect the conversation?

Yes! Phrases like 'That's interesting, but let's get back to...' or 'I see your point, but can we focus on...' can be effective.

How do I handle it if the off-topic discussion is important to the other person?

You can acknowledge its importance and suggest discussing it later, saying something like, 'I value this topic, can we revisit it after our main discussion?'

What if I’m in a group setting and someone goes off-topic?

In a group, you can say, 'That's a great point, but let's circle back to our agenda for now.' This keeps the group focused.