Small Talk Hits a Small Speed Bump

Recently, small talk has hit a small speed bump. A newly released study by the Journal of Psychological Science has found that people who have more substantial, meaningful conversations are overall happier.

While I find the study interesting, my experience with small talk has been completely different. As a former engineer who had absolute disdain for small talk, I now have plenty of anecdotal evidence to support my thoughts on why small talk can be successful for building important relationships.

I agree with the study in the sense that your life cannot be comprised of only singular, small talk encounters and that that behavior could result in unhappiness. In order to avoid this, you can’t let the conversation stop with small talk. You have to let it advance into something more meaningful. Think of small talk as an appetizer before an entrée. As long as you don’t get full from the appetizer, you’ll eventually get to a meaty entrée and a productive relationship can be built. Most connected relationships – business, social or romantic – begin with small talk. Then, deeper conversations allow profound bonds to evolve.

If you are good at small talk and apply proper small talk strategies, you’ll be more equipped to transition into more meaningful conversation topics, thus leading to the formation of relationships. To be a good communicator and to be in a position to build relationships, small talk is essential. It’s no small matter.

Small Talk for Successful Business Networking

Do you avoid talking to people in business settings? Do you dread receptions, banquets, and other business-related social events? Do you struggle to make meaningful, long-term connections at work? You’re not alone. Many of us are apprehensive about these situations, because most of us either hate entering rooms where we don’t know anyone or hate spending time with people we don’t know well. With a little practice and use of these helpful tips, you’ll be conversing at the water cooler effortlessly.

1) Introduce and initiate. Go ahead and initiate with a hello! Even if you recognize, or slightly know someone, re-introduce yourself. Be aware of how he introduces himself (you may know him as Charles, but maybe he goes by Chuck) and use his name throughout your interaction. This will help you remember it in the long run and also establish a personal connection. By taking ownership and initiating a conversation, you will feel more in control to drive the direction of the exchange.

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