It's been my observation over the years that people often make conversations far more complicated and difficult than they need to be. It's possible to radically simplify most conversations into three things:
What we know
What we want
What we are willing to do.
We move the conversation forward simply by expressing, inquiring, and listening. We say what we know, what we want and what we will do. And we ask others what they know, want and are willing to do.
It can actually be that simple.