What makes something “small talk” versus having a conversation?

Lisa McDonald started us off with the metaphor that small talk is an appetizer while a conversation in the main meal.

 

Bonnie Sussman-Versace agreed and suggested that small talk is a way to keep people at a distance. “I don’t know you so I’m not going to share anything important with you.”

 

Atif Agha had a bit of a different take saying he feels like small talk is a warmup. It lets you get to know someone a little bit and decide if you want to share more with them. He shared a story about chatting with a stranger in a Panera recently.

 

Deeper into the conversation Bonnie talked about how she used to think that small talk was a waste of time but in recent years she has come to recognize the important role it plays in relationships.

 

We did notice that if you had a parent who was likely to overshare when someone asked “how are you?” you might be more likely to not be bothered by small talk.

 

What do you think is the difference between small talk and conversation? Do you find it useful or do you think it’s a waste of time?

 

Connect with the panelists:
Lisa McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-k-mcdonald-executive-career-coach/

Founder of Career Polish where she is an Executive Career Coach & Master Mindset Coach who helps people get career happy and life healthy

 

Bonnie Sussman-Versace: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bversace/

Re-imaginer at FOCUSED. Where she specializes in developing leaders, building positive and productive workplace cultures, and improving individual, team and enterprise-wide performance

 

Atif Agha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atifagha/

Technology specialist doing data analytics and avid runner, based in Chicago

 

Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

Concierge High Performance Psychologist providing luxury level support to executives, entrepreneurs, celebrities and athletes as well as the Facilitator of the Quick Hits podcast

 

Want a summary of the Quick Hits plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/

 

  #QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com

 

#smalltalk #conversation