logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2025
38 m

#460 How to Master Small Talk (Even if Y...

THE SQUIGGLY CAREER
About this episode

Small talk is part of lots of the meetings and moments that we experience at work and most of us don't enjoy it! This week, Sarah and Helen discuss why small talk matters for connection and how to approach it. They share 'small talk starters', the importance of listening to what is said (instead of being distracted by what you want to say) and how to transition from small talk into what needs to come next.


To use the PodSheet that supports the episode, head to amazingif.com/listen


(00:00) Introduction

(00:54) The hatred of small talk

(07:10) The quick connection approach

(09:24) Different small talk practices

(10:26) Small-talk starters

(20:55) Half listening vs whole listening

(27:12) When to stop the small talk

(35:15) Final thoughts


For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com


Need some more squiggly career support?

1. Download our free careers tools https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/

2. Sign-up for our Squiggly Careers Skills Sprint https://bit.ly/skillssprint2024

3. Read our books ‘The Squiggly Career’ and ‘You Coach You’ www.amazingif.com/books/



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
#494 Be yourself more with skill
This is the fourth and final episode in the Squiggly Careers Quote Series, and today Sarah shares the quote that has shaped her approach to leadership: “Be yourself more with skill.” Inspired by the book and article Why Should Anyone Be Led by You?, this episode explores how true ... Show More
23m 27s
Aug 19
#493 Challenge your limits, don't limit your challenges
🥇 Sign up for the sprint here: https://bit.ly/41jasYOAre you letting other people set the boundaries for your career? This is the third episode in the Squiggly Careers quote series, and today Helen shares the quote that’s shaped her approach to career development: “Challenge you ... Show More
16m 49s
Aug 12
#492 Never Live the Same Year Twice: How to Get Unstuck
🥇 Sign up for the sprint here: https://bit.ly/41jasYOAre you unintentionally repeating the same career year again and again? This is the second episode in the Squiggly Careers quote series, and today Sarah shares the quote that’s inspired her career mindset: “Never live the same ... Show More
15m 28s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2025
Unlock the Secret to Effortless Business Small Talk: Build Better Connections at Work!
Click here to upgrade your English speaking skills and accelerate your career! 🤩 https://academy.explearning.co/plans/351413 Struggling to master small talk in business settings? You’re not alone! Small talk can feel awkward, but it’s one of the most powerful tools for building ... Show More
40m 36s
Dec 2024
How to Never Struggle with Small Talk
Small talk can be so awkward.You’re trying to fill the silence, but the conversation just isn’t clicking. What do you do?In this episode, I’m sharing 3 ways to make small talk feel natural, engaging, and even enjoyable. You’ll learn how to ask better questions, keep the conversat ... Show More
15m 11s
Aug 12
222. Discussing Through Discomfort: Why the Conversations You Avoid Cost You the Most
Some conversations are uncomfortable, but avoiding them comes with a cost.You want a more successful career, a more fulfilling relationship, a more meaningful life? What if all that’s standing in your way — are the conversations that you’re avoiding?“Most things that we want in l ... Show More
25m 13s
Nov 2024
169. Don't Be a ZQ: Make Your Conversations Count
​​ What makes a great conversation? “Many of us dread small talk,” says Harvard Business School professor and author Alison Wood Brooks. Yet she believes these everyday exchanges are the gateway to deeper connection and opportunity. An expert in the science of conversation, Wood ... Show More
24m 50s
Mar 2025
The Keys to Great Conversation
Whether we’re interacting with colleagues, clients, friends, family members or strangers, conversations are the way most of us build — or break — relationships. And yet we don’t often think deeply about how to approach this type of casual communication.  Alison Wood Brooks, assoc ... Show More
32m 19s
Aug 2024
How to Be An Introvert In An Extraverted Career | Susan Cain
#99 Ever felt like your introverted nature is holding you back? In this episode, Susan Cain explores how introverts can harness their natural abilities to overcome challenges like public speaking anxiety. She discusses her transformative approach to embracing introversion, highli ... Show More
56m 45s
Feb 2025
How to Master Small Talk & Why We Do Things Without Knowing Why- SYSK Choice
Is there a reason we have eyebrows? Pretty much every part of the human body has a reason for being there and eyebrows actually have three reasons. I begin this episode by explaining what they are. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/58424/why-do-we-have-eyebrows Every relationsh ... Show More
49m 35s
Jan 2025
How to Talk to Anyone (Even If You Think You’re Awkward)
Boost your Communication Skills and get the life and job you want🤩 ⁠https://academy.explearning.co/plans/351413⁠ Learn more about Explearning Academy ✨ ⁠https://academy.explearning.co⁠ Do you feel awkward or unsure in conversations? You’re not alone! In this Explearning Academy ... Show More
41m 26s
Apr 2025
#322 How to Get Better at Small Talk
Small Talk is something many of us struggle with, and it's a really important part of socialising and using language.In this episode, I share some of my own awkward experiences with small talk, and then go through time tips on how we can all get better at it to improve our conver ... Show More
42m 35s
Apr 2022
Ask Questions, Own the Conversation
The post How to Master Sales Meetings as an Introvert appeared first on Finding A Business Niche & Creating A Sales System - MatthewPollard.Com. 
29m 46s