Small Talk —Work Place Skill	
Small Talk — Work Place Skill (page 1 of 2)	
What is small talk?
Small talk is the pathway to relationships.  Small talk is also known as
 chit-chat or casual talking — a short 
conversation between you and someone you do not know or do not know well
.   Subjects for small talk are 
non-threatening such as: weather, traffic, sports, food, music, movies, and positive local event.  Subjects to 
avoid in small talk are those that cause strong opinions or anger such 
as: politics, religion, race, personal observations (about a person’
s 
weight, clothing, hair style, or way they act), and sexual topics.   
Avoid negative comments about a company, its products, or other 
workers.    
Why is small talk called a work place skill?
a) Small talk is a first step in starting a friendship with coworkers, 
customers, and supervisors.  b) Business partnerships may start with 
small talk.  Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield became friends with 
small talk when running laps at the gym.  There would be no Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream if Ben and Jerry 
remained silent during their workouts!  c) Small talk may create you a 
friendship with an important person 
that may result in a job offer or promotion because you show skills of professional friendliness.
Small talk skills will make people like me?
Yes.  Skills in small talk  make people comfortable with you, and  make you 
an interesting person to be around.
How do I practice small talk at work?
You do not have to know or like a person to act friendly with them at wor
k.  
Greet others by saying, "Good morning" or ask, "Hi, how are you
?"  Smile 
when you greet people or pass a person in the hallway.  Practice so your smile is natural.  Persons who do 
not smile are thought of as angry or aloof (stuck up).  Pretend that t
his person is your friend.     
What is the goal of small talk?
The goal is to connect with others.  To connect, you need to keep small talk going for 2 or 3 rounds.  If you 
answer a question or comment with one word, the conversation stops.  For
 example, if you are asked if you 
saw a sports event, and you answer "no" — the conversation ends.  To start small talk, you need to "express 
interest in the other person" by using more than one word answers suc
h as, "I didn’t see that game.  What 
happened?"   Round One: Person asks you question.  Round two:   You give more than one-word answer.  
Round three: person adds another comment.  Three or more rounds makes successful small talk.  
Small Talk Tips
Be kind to yourself  — You may feel shy or nervous around people 
and afraid to talk.  If you say something wrong, forgive yourself and 
move on — because your small talk skills will improve with practice. 
 
Some people have a natural ability to do small talk.  Most people need 
to practice to learn small talk skills.  Start practicing today!

Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.  	Small Talk — Work Place Skill (page 2 of 2)	
QUICK CHECK:
1. a) What is small talk?  b) Small talk is between 
you and who?  c) List 7 non-threatening 
  subjects.  d) List 5 subjects to avoid.
2.  List 3 reasons why small talk is called a skill.
3.  List 2 things that skills in small talk make.
4.  a) Do you need to know a person to act 
  friendly?  b) What do you say when you greet 
people?  c) If you do not smile, what 2 things 
may people think of you?
5.  a) What is the goal of small talk?  b) What 
  happens if you answer a question with one 
word?  c) How do you express interest in the 
other person?  d) How many rounds make 
  successful small talk?
Show interest in people by listening — Think the best about every person.  
Actively listen to what a person is saying.  Look at the person talking 
— do 
not look at your phone.   Here are words of wisdom about listening skills:   
a) One of the best forms of respect is to listen to what another has to
 say.  
b) The art of conversation is listening.  c) The ability to listen is as important 
as the ability to speak.  d) If speaking is silver, then listening is gold.  
After you listen, ask the person a question if you want small talk to continue.
Ask open-ended questions  — Closed-ended questions can be answered with "yes" or "no.
"  Open-ended 
questions require more words to answer.  Open-ended questions are used in small talk.  People love to talk, 
and feel valued when you ask open-ended questions.  Examples of open-ended questions: 
Where did you go to high school? (or college?)
How did you find your job?
What is your hobby?
What did you do at work today?
What happened at school today?
What did you think of the game last night?
Advanced skill of a small talker is the skill to introduce people with ease.  Announce the person’s name, 
then offer a bit of information or something in common with others in the group
.  "Jason, this is Sam.  Sam 
lives in Careerville and is a carpenter."  "Britney, this is Emma.  Emma is an art major also, and attends 
City College."  Most people forget names.  If you forget a name, you may say: "I’m so sorry, what is your 
name again?"  People love the sound of their name.  To help you remember the name, and to make the 
other person feel good, use their name when leaving: "Nice  talking to y
ou Jason and Sam.  See you later."  
Make a polite get-away — Do not act bored with the small talk.  If you want to end small talk, us
e the 2 
step plan.   Step #1: Use the words "I need" — I need to get some food now. I haven’t eaten yet.   I need to 
talk to a coworkers I see over there.   I need to check in with my supervisor.  Step #2:  Say something 
positive to the person before you leave:   I’ve enjoyed talking to you Ava.  I hope to talk to you again.How was the traffic this morning?
What was the thunder like at your home last night?
What place around here do you like for lunch?
What type of music do you enjoy?
What movie have you seen lately?
What do you do for exercise?	
6.  If you say something wrong, why do you need 
to forgive yourself?
7.  a) Listening skills: Write down the words of 
wisdom you like best.  b) After you listen and 
want small talk to continue, what do you do?
8.  a) What are closed-ended questions?  b) What  
do open-ended questions require? c) List 3 
  examples of open-ended questions.
9.  a) What is an advanced skill of a small talker?
  b) After announcing the person's name, what do 
you do?  c) If you forget a name, what do you 
say?  d) Do what to remember the name?
10.  Describe the 2 steps to make a polite get-away.
11.  a) Do you think small talk is important in the 
work world?  b) Why or why not?