Six ways to master career boosting small talk
Posted by
Last week we talked about developing your career by socialising and we promised to blog about how you can master “small talk”, whether you enjoy or avoid networking.
So what do we mean by small talk?
Small talk is light conversation about things you have in common. In business, small talk is social talking on a business level – unimportant conversations which become important because they enhance relationships. It can happen in a variety of places – it can be in meetings, at conferences, industry specific events, coffee machine, lunch, when traveling, networking events – basically anywhere you have opportunity to speak with someone informally.
And before you dismiss small talk’s importance as a career skill, bear in mind that according to research done by the Midwestern University in America small talk is more important than technical skills or know how!
So how can you get good at small talk?
TAKE AWAY
Small talk doesn’t have to be difficult or shallow – take a real interest in people and find common ground.
So what do we mean by small talk?
Small talk is light conversation about things you have in common. In business, small talk is social talking on a business level – unimportant conversations which become important because they enhance relationships. It can happen in a variety of places – it can be in meetings, at conferences, industry specific events, coffee machine, lunch, when traveling, networking events – basically anywhere you have opportunity to speak with someone informally.
And before you dismiss small talk’s importance as a career skill, bear in mind that according to research done by the Midwestern University in America small talk is more important than technical skills or know how!
So how can you get good at small talk?
- Introduce yourself well/Initiating the conversation. Make eye contact and introduce yourself. When you introduce yourself remember their name – the best way to do this is to immediately use it after they’ve told you it. For example, “John, it’s really nice to meet you”. If you are an introvert and you really hate doing small talk, by initiating the conversation it will put you in control, which may well make you feel more comfortable.
- Show a real interest. Really make an effort to listen to people and to hear what they say. Once they’ve spoken, frame your next question based on what they’ve already said. This is how you go about creating depth in a conversation. Get them to elaborate on things they’ve already said, and it will allow you to keep the conversation fluid and light – just bear in mind they don’t want to feel like they’re being interrogated!
- Find common ground. Using common ground to start the conversation is a really easy way to enter into the discussion. For example, “have you been to this event before?” Starting with something that builds common ground is a much stronger lead in and creates a much better conversation than just saying “hello”.
- Let the conversation evolve. Suddenly you may notice that the “chit chat” has progressed into a more meaningful business conversation, and you have a new stakeholder in your business network. Give them your business card and take theirs, and follow up with a thank you email.
- Make the right exit. Networking events are designed to be able to have short-ish chats with people. Avoid monopolising someone unless it feels like a mutually beneficial time and accept that they may want to talk to others, in which case thank them and move on.
TAKE AWAY
Small talk doesn’t have to be difficult or shallow – take a real interest in people and find common ground.