5 tips for office small talk
Small talk - without the awkwardness
We give you 5 tips to help you navigate those small office chats.
Many of us find small talk in the office daunting and not something we naturally want to do. A combination of lockdowns, remote and hybrid working, and increased screen time has left many of us out of practice. Some of us, especially early on in our careers, haven’t had much experience with workplace small talk, particularly in person, especially those who entered the world of work during the pandemic. You may find it pointless or performative. And if you're socially anxious or introverted, small talk might feel draining and like energy you’d rather save for your actual work.
Is small talk important?
While small talk might seem superficial, it plays an important role in building human connections and a sense of belonging. These moments of interaction help to create trust and rapport, which can really add to workplace wellbeing. Small talk can also open the door to professional relationships and opportunities in a way that a connection on LinkedIn alone can’t replicate. A quick chat in the kitchen or before a meeting can be the first step towards mentoring, collaboration, or even your next role.
Tips on good small talk
Ask open questions
Open questions require more than a yes or no response, so they naturally get people talking a little more. For example, instead of asking “Did you have a good weekend?” try “What did you get up to over the weekend?” or “Was it a busy one for you?”
You can go further: “How are you?” is technically an open question but is often met with a limited variation of “Good, thanks.” Try something like “How are you feeling about getting started with this project?” or “How’s your week been going so far?”
Be an active listener
When it comes to talking, the listening part is just as, if not more important. Show you’re listening by making eye contact, nodding, and responding to what the person actually says, rather than steering the conversation back to your own thoughts.
It’s often better to ask a follow-up question based on what they’ve said than to jump in with your own anecdote. This signals that you value the other person’s perspective and helps build mutual trust.
Practise in different environments
If small talk feels too high-stakes or nerve-racking in a work setting, try it out in more relaxed social spaces. Instead of using the self-checkout machine at the supermarket, go to a cashier and ask how their day’s been. Ask your barista a couple of questions when you’re grabbing a coffee. If you're meeting friends in a group, try talking to someone you don’t know well.
Getting used to these smaller, lower-pressure interactions can help you feel more confident when it matters at work.
Have a cheat sheet
If small talk fills you with dread but you’re keen to get better at it, it helps to be prepared. You don’t need to sound scripted, but having a few go-to questions can make you feel more confident. Try options like:
“What are you working on at the moment?”
“I’ve never been to X before—what made you choose it for your holiday?”
“What are you most looking forward to with this project?”
These work in a range of settings and are easy to build from, depending on the other person’s response.
Remember your boundaries
Getting better at small talk doesn’t mean you need to talk for ages or push through topics that make you uncomfortable. It’s fine to have an exit strategy if you need one, and it can help ease your nerves. You could say something like, “It was nice chatting to you and hearing about that project,” or “Thanks for the chat—it was really helpful.”
So, small talk might never be your favourite part of the workday, but with a little practice and a few simple strategies, it can become a useful and manageable tool in building better relationships at work.
