Brenda’s Blog

How to Avoid Awkwardness While Networking: Tackling the Big Topic of Small Talk 🤝

You’re invited to a two-hour networking event with 10 very senior
leaders, either from your organization or from an organization where you’d love
to work.

You’re one of only 30 individuals hand-picked to attend. It’s taking place in a formal setting, you’ve seen the roster of people attending, and you only know two of them.
 
Be honest: on a scale from 1 (“Don’t make me go!”) to 10 (“Networking? Fun!”), where do you rank? 🤔

I’ve asked this question to hundreds of people over the years, and most leaders dread networking. Why? The awkwardness of small talk. Yet, small talk is a simple thing that can make a big difference—in both personal rapport and professional relationships.
 
What IS small talk anyway, and why does it feel so awkward?

Small talk is simply a *casual conversation*, but it serves an important purpose:

🤗 Humanizes conversations
🗣️ Builds rapport
🧊 Breaks the ice to get to meaningful discussions
💪 Leads to stronger relationships
 
Why does small talk matter?
🤝 People do business with people they like.
🤝 Team leaders hire people they connect with and trust.
🤝 Clients stick with businesses because they appreciate and enjoy working with the people who support them.

So… why do we dread small talk so much? 🤷‍♂️

Usually, it’s the fear of not knowing what to say. In our tech-driven world, we can lose the art of face-to-face connection.
 
But the good news is: Small talk is a learned skill. 🎓

SIX TIPS TO MASTER SMALL TALK:
 
1. MAKE IT ABOUT THEM.
Focus on making the other person feel comfortable and heard—it’s not about you, it’s about creating a connection.
 
2. ARM YOURSELF WITH OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS.
Have 5-10 questions handy, all which start with “what” and “how,” that can work in different situations / with different people.
 
3. USE YOUR OBSERVATION SKILLS.
Notice details about the room, the event, or the person you’re speaking with—these are great conversation starters.
 
4. BE PREPARED & MINDFUL.
Think about how you want to be in the moment—approachable, curious, and confident—not just what you’ll say or do.
 
5. BE GENUINELY CURIOUS.
Show authentic interest in others. Approach conversations with the mindset of learning something new from the person in front of you.
 
6. LISTEN FOR COMMON GROUND.
To find commonalities and build rapport, pay attention to what the other person says and relate it to your own experience.

*Master Small Talk, Master Networking*
 
🚀 The more interest you show in others, the more interesting you become to them. And when you focus on making small talk less about you and more about the other person, it feels a whole lot less awkward—and a lot more impactful. 🚀
 
What’s your favorite go-to, open-ended question to ask at a networking event? Share in the comments—let’s trade ideas!