My boxing coach once described fighting as a conversation. I am inclined to agree.

In boxing you don't have the luxury of taking your time to think otherwise you get punched in the face.

Improving at conversation is like boxing - it can be reduced into structures and scenarios. Combinations and responses can be drilled in. Ultimately once the foundations are bedded in there is plenty of room for self expression and creativity.

The funny thing about social interaction is that we all talk to each other but there are people who live breathe and hone the art whether formally or informally while plenty of us just stumble along doing just good enough...