This text is based on an article on the Harvard Business Review website.
Keep an open mind and start the conversation with a smile
The first step to initiating successful small talk is to let the other person know non-verbally that you are on their side, that you care, and that you have good intentions. All the other steps will then be much easier to take. The best way to gain the other person's sympathy is to adopt an open attitude towards the person and smile at them.
Start with a neutral topic
At the beginning, when you do not yet know what the person's interests are, it is best to start with a general topic. It could be something like mocking the weather. Or you could describe how a strange thing happened to you on the way to the meeting.
Ask questions
It is a good idea to start small talk by talking yourself. You should speak for a while, but shortly after that engage the other person in the conversation by asking a simple open question.
Focus on positive topics
The topic you choose should be a positive one. It should evoke a smile, a good mood and a desire to join the conversation. Be sure to leave aside any controversial, depressing or negative topics.
Find a common interest
Try to find what you have in common with the person. Do you live in the same part of town? Do you like the same sport? Or do you both play a musical instrument? Once you find a common interest, you will have an excellent common topic that will elevate small talk to a regular and interesting conversation.
Listen
The key to any conversation is active listening. When you ask the other party a question, really listen to what they say. Think about what they are saying, and then respond in an interesting way. This process will keep the small talk moving forward.
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