Mastering the Art of Small Talk
The ability to develop relationships with others through small talk is an acquired skill. It is critical to learn how to connect and build rapport with others in order to successful in the business world. When you are comfortable speaking with others in different situations it will be easier to get ahead.
To master the art of small talk it is important to attempt to say hello first. Approach the other person with a smile, make eye contact and offer a firm handshake. Take your time during this introduction period to make sure you hear the persons name, remember it and use it frequently through out the conversation.
The next step in effective small talk is a sincere opening line. This line should let the other person know that you are interested in having a conversation with them. A compliment, if genuine, can be a terrific way to start a conversation. Other ice breakers may be bringing up a current event or a comment about the event that you both are at. No matter which opening line you choose to use make sure you come across confident and positive.
Initiating the conversation is a good start but the most important part of small talk is keeping the conversation alive. Your goal should not be to monopolize the dialogue but to participate in it. This means asking relevant questions and listening attentively to the answers. Experts suggest that you should spend 80 percent of your networking time listening rather than talking. After listening, you should elaborate with your own comments and perhaps ask another question. Make sure your questions are light and open-ended. Do not act like interrogator.
There are certain topics that you should avoid in order for small talk to be productive. Dont talk about personal matters such as your health or sex life. Also, try to stay away from controversial or topics or subjects that may make others feel uncomfortable.
Body language is also important during small talk. Make sure you are not giving off the impression that you are uncomfortable, this can make others uneasy and less likely to engage in a conversation. In addition, maintain eye contact through out the conversation. Avoid glancing around the room it is rude and distracting.
If you are joining a conversation that is already in progress do so conservatively. This means observe and listen for a while before jumping in. This will allow you to get a feel for the dynamics of the discussion before contributing to it.
Just as important as the conversation itself, how you end small talk is equally important. Have a few graceful exit lines prepared ahead of time so you can depart smoothly. You should ask permission to excuse yourself, and if you are talking to someone with status you may even mention that you do not want to monopolize all of his or her time. You should end the conversation with a handshake and a smile to leave a good final impression.
After the meeting or event has ended do not disregard the information that you have gathered, even if it seems trivial. You may want to jot down a few notes or start a binder for business cards. This will help you when your paths cross with this contact again. Having some important tidbits from a previous conversation will help break the ice the next time around.
Talking casually with others may not seem very significant at first but it can help insure that your networking attempts are successful. Learning how to do it effectively is a critical step in socializing and developing relationships for business.
