Why You Need to Learn Small Talk

“It’s a waste of time learning small talk Armi” said?“It’s just idle chatter anyway, how can small talk help me and my career??

That’s what Armi was saying when I tried to explain the benefits of learning small talk to improve her job prospects.?

Armi was a talented software developer who had been working for a large IT company for several years. She had stayed in the same position since she arrived at the company and wasn’t about to get a promotion anytime soon.

She had all the technical skills required for her job, but she struggled with small talk and often found herself feeling awkward and uncomfortable in social situations.

So that she could understand the importance of small talk, I explained that small talk can be compared to a bridge that connects people from different places and backgrounds.?

Just as a bridge provides a pathway for people to cross over a physical barrier, small talk provides a pathway for people to cross over social barriers.

When we engage in small talk, we build a connection with the other person, creating a sense of familiarity and shared experience.?

This connection allows us to bridge the gap between different social circles, cultures, and personalities.

Without this bridge of small talk, we may feel isolated and disconnected from others, which can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunications.?

In the IT industry, where diverse teams work together to achieve common goals, small talk can be an essential tool for creating a collaborative and inclusive environment.

By building bridges through small talk, we can foster better communication, understanding, and respect for each other.?

This, in turn, can lead to improved teamwork, increased productivity, and a more positive work culture.

In short, just as a bridge connects people and facilitates movement, small talk connects people and facilitates social interaction, making it a critical tool for success in both our personal and professional lives.

One day, Armi was passed over for a promotion that she had been working towards for a long time. She was devastated and felt like she had hit a wall in her career.

That's when she decided to take action and work on her small talk skills. Armi enrolled in my small talk course and started practicing with her colleagues during lunch breaks and after-work events.

She made a conscious effort to initiate conversations and listen actively to her colleagues' responses. Another important thing she did was to make an effort to learn about her colleagues' interests and hobbies so she could ask them questions and show genuine interest in their lives.

As she continued to practice and improve her small talk skills, Armi noticed a significant change in the way her colleagues responded to her. They were more open and friendly towards her, and she felt like she was building stronger relationships with them.

Armi's new skills also caught the attention of her boss, who noticed her increased confidence and professionalism in social situations.?Her boss recognized that these skills were valuable in the workplace and offered her a promotion to a team lead position.

Armi was over the moon with the news and felt like all her hard work had paid off. She realized that small talk was not just about making idle conversation but was an essential part of building relationships, improving communication, and demonstrating professionalism in the workplace.

From that day on, Armi continued to work on her small talk skills and became a valued leader in her company.?She made it a point to help her colleagues who struggled with small talk and encourage them to practice and improve their skills.

Armi's success story is a reminder that with effort and practice, anyone can improve their small talk skills and achieve success in their career.

If this is something that would benefit you I am currently running a 7-Day Confident Communicator challenge for IT professionls. Drop me a DM if you would like to learn more. I'm offering a discount for the first 10 places. So the first 10 people to DM me will grab their places.

Speak soon

Jacqueline