1. Be interesting:
No one wants to be bored no matter how gracious they are. You've got to earn your listener's attention and keep them coming back for more. If your story bores people, maybe its best you choose another.
2. Be logical:
Don't zip of in the middle of the story to a tangent or mix up fact and fiction. Eliminate those 'oh yeah, I forgot to tell you earlier...' It will help the listener piece the whole story together faster. Remember those times kids keep on asking their parents "and then, and then what happened?" When a story/converstaion is logical, it will gather its own momentum.
3. Be specific:
If you felt angry, say so. Don't try and use a more politically correct term or try to hide somethings. Without specifics, a story would sound like this: Once upon a time, somewhere out there, somone went somewhere and something happened to that someone. But overdoing the specifics will make the story too dry and factual like a univeristy textbook.
4. Be practical:
If someone asks for your opinion, do this- give them workable solutions. We are all humans with limited capabilites and skills. Problems don't vanish just because you think up a super plan on how to solve them; we need to get down and clean up the mess with our own two hands. Vague 'try harder next time' lines will win you the 'most dreaded advisor award.'
4. Be warm and genuine:
Above all things. This comes with the words you choose, how you say them, your body gestures, and sometimes just being there with a friend without saying a single syllable. Your vocal partner will sense it if you are not interested in the conversation.