The Hidden Frameworks That Shape Our Conversations (and How to Use Them in HR and AI)

Conversations are everywhere—whether you’re giving feedback to a colleague, discussing strategy with your leadership team, or engaging with a potential hire. But have you ever stopped to think about the hidden frameworks guiding these exchanges? Most of us don’t, and that’s perfectly natural. After all, we’re busy trying to keep everything moving smoothly in our day-to-day work. However, understanding the structures that shape our conversations could be a game-changer, particularly for those of us working in HR, recruitment, and talent acquisition.

In this thought leadership piece, I’ll unpack some of the lesser-known patterns that guide our interactions, both with humans and AI systems. Spoiler: These frameworks don’t just help in conversations—they’re also key to working more effectively with AI, especially when it comes to recruitment technology.

1. Threading: The Art of Seamless Topic Transitions

Let’s start with one of the most fundamental frameworks—threading. You’ve likely used it many times without even realising it. Threading is simply the act of smoothly transitioning from one topic to another by finding a related concept to build on. It’s what keeps the conversation flowing and avoids those awkward silences we’ve all experienced (probably more often than we care to admit).

For example: "I’ve been thinking about improving how we organise our candidate pipelines. At the moment, our system groups applicants into very random categories, which isn't ideal."

From here, the conversation could naturally shift towards recruitment processes, data organisation, or even technology solutions.

In recruitment, threading can make interactions with candidates much more fluid. Rather than rigidly sticking to a list of questions, threading allows you to explore areas that may reveal valuable insights, making the conversation more engaging for both parties.

2. Empathy and Nonverbal Cues: Reading Between the Lines

Next, let’s talk about empathy—the cornerstone of any meaningful conversation, whether you’re speaking with a colleague or a chatbot. When we communicate, it’s rarely just about the words. We pick up on tone, body language, and context. As HR and recruitment professionals, we know how important these cues are in interviews, feedback sessions, and even casual chats in the breakroom (remember those?).

Empathy helps you not just understand what’s being said, but also what’s not being said. Reading between the lines is critical when assessing how candidates might fit into a team or how employees are coping with changes in the workplace.

But how does this apply to AI? Well, while AI doesn’t have feelings (yet!), it can be trained to simulate understanding by processing the right cues. When you prompt an AI system, offering it relevant context—background details, objectives, and tone—can help it produce more human-like and accurate responses.

3. Turn-Taking: The Delicate Balance of Dialogue

In any conversation, turn-taking is key. Whether it’s a light-hearted chat or a more structured discussion, everyone needs time to speak and, crucially, time to listen. Like a well-executed tennis match, it’s about balance: you speak, they respond. But getting that balance right isn’t always as simple as it seems. In recruitment and HR, turn-taking becomes particularly crucial in interviews and performance reviews, where dominating the conversation can hinder the flow of valuable insights.

When it comes to AI, turn-taking also matters. Rather than bombarding the system with lengthy, complex prompts, you’re more likely to get a helpful response by breaking down instructions into digestible parts—allowing the AI to “respond” more accurately. The trick is in pacing your interaction, both with humans and machines.

4. Applying Human Frameworks to AI Interactions

Here’s where things get interesting: these hidden conversational frameworks aren’t just for human interaction. They’re incredibly useful when working with AI models, particularly in recruitment technology. When you communicate with AI, you’re essentially having a conversation (albeit a rather one-sided one), and applying the same principles of threading, empathy, and turn-taking can lead to much better outcomes.

So, how can you use these frameworks to get more out of AI in your recruitment process?

• Thread your instructions: AI is most effective when your prompts are clear and logical. Build your instructions one step at a time, just like you would in a conversation. This helps the AI understand the context and provide more relevant responses.
• Empathy through clarity: Be explicit with the AI. It doesn’t “get” hints or read between the lines like a human would. Provide it with background information, examples, and your desired tone to guide its output.
• Turn-taking in AI: Rather than overwhelming the AI with a single, complex prompt, break your instructions down. By feeding the AI smaller, more manageable prompts, you can refine the results as you go, much like you’d steer a conversation with a human.

5. Conversations with AI: A New Skill Set for HR and Recruitment Professionals

It might sound a bit odd, but becoming more skilled at communicating with AI is fast becoming an essential tool in your HR or recruitment toolkit. Whether you're interacting with an applicant tracking system or a chatbot, understanding how to structure your prompts and manage interactions can make these tools work smarter for you. After all, conversational AI is only as good as the prompts it’s given, and the frameworks we’ve discussed can help make sure your prompts are top-notch.

Final Thoughts: Mastering the Conversation—Human or AI

At the end of the day, whether you’re speaking with candidates, employees, or even machines, mastering the art of conversation is about being mindful of the frameworks at play. In recruitment and HR, where effective communication can make or break relationships, being aware of these hidden structures can enhance how you engage with people—and AI.

So, what’s the takeaway? Understand how you’re navigating conversations. Be deliberate with your transitions, be empathetic, and take turns effectively. Apply these same principles when working with AI. The better you are at structuring prompts and offering context, the more useful your AI tools will become. And that, ultimately, means more efficient and meaningful interactions, both human and machine.

Now, how are you applying these frameworks in your recruitment or HR processes today? If you haven’t yet started, perhaps it’s time to rethink how we communicate—not just with people, but with the AI that increasingly shapes our industry.