We all know those people who seem like they could strike up a conversation with anyone — from their barista to the bus driver and even that distant relative they see every 10 years. No matter the situation, they have an uncanny ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
If you’re more on the introverted side, it’s easy to look at these people in awe and assume they’ve been naturally blessed with the ‘gift of the gab’. Undoubtedly, there are personality and even generational differences that contribute to how easily we can strike up conversations with people IRL.
But, the reality is, being a confident and effective conversationalist is a learned skill like any other. Just like a crochet cross-stitch or building slick spreadsheets, it requires continual practice to figure out what works and what doesn’t.
While it can feel awkward and uncomfortable at first, learning how to connect with others is an invaluable skill — especially in the workplace. Research shows that having strong social support at work helps to shield against stress and burnout. A sense of belonging has also been found make work feel more meaningful, which in turn makes us more engaged and productive.
Then, there’s the compounding professional benefits. The expression ‘your network is your net worth’ isn’t just a cliche. The connections you make at work can actually help you grow your career by being in your corner when you need it most. Many jobs are filled by word of mouth without ever being advertised, and this only becomes more prevalent as your seniority grows. So, having strong connections with your peers helps ensure your name is being mentioned in the right way, in the right rooms, for the right opportunities.
Despite the many upsides, research from Workday’s Human Connection Workplace Index Report, shows that 41% of Gen Z employees never have conversations that go beyond transactional work-related tasks with their colleagues. A further 32% of Gen Zs say they don’t have colleagues they trust enough to talk about things going on in their personal lives, compared to 19% for millennials and 20% for Gen Xers.
In our Overcoming Loneliness and Thriving At Work Through Connections webinar on September 21, we’ll be joined by Australia’s leading loneliness academic and a business and recruitment expert to delve into why early-in-career employees are particularly vulnerable to loneliness at work. The session will also explore mindset shifts and practical strategies for overcoming fear of judgment and reaching out to others.
With practice, the things you’ll learn in this webinar will allow you to confidently adapt to social situations without overthinking. In the meantime, having a repository of reliable conversation prompts goes a long way to help you start putting in the reps.
Read on for 20 simple-yet-effective conversation prompts you can use in common workplace situations — no mentions of the weather required!
Tip: Print or save this cheat sheet to keep the prompts handy for when you need them!
At a networking event
Whether it’s a seminar, conference or cocktail event, these open-ended conversation starters will help break the ice
How’s your day going so far?
Is it your first time here?
What made you decide to attend today?
How did you find out about this event?
Is there a specific speaker or workshop you’re most looking forward to?
What’s been your highlight of today so far?
I was really surprised to learn (insert insight from event) — had you come across that previously?
What does the day-to-day of (insert their job) look like?
How has AI affected your industry so far?
I listened to a great podcast/read a great book recently about (insert relevant topic here) — have you heard/read it?
At a networking event
Whether it’s a seminar, conference or cocktail event, these open-ended conversation starters will help break the ice.
How’s your day going so far?
Is it your first time here?
What made you decide to attend today?
How did you find out about this event?
Is there a specific speaker or workshop you’re most looking forward to?
What’s been your highlight of today so far?
I was really surprised to learn (insert insight from event) — had you come across that previously?
What does the day-to-day of (insert their job) look like?
How has AI affected your industry so far?
I listened to a great podcast/read a great book recently about (insert relevant topic here) — have you heard/read it?
To a colleague you don’t know very well
For when you’d like to go from friendly acquaintance to genuine work friend.
I recently finished watching (insert TV series) and am looking for something new. Any suggestions?
I was thinking of going to try (insert food or drink) today at lunch — let me know if you’d like to come with!
I’m planning a trip to (insert place here) — have you been before? Any recommendations?
I remember you said you were interested in (insert hobby here) — how’s that been going?
How is your to-do list looking today?
To a senior staff member
Safe conversation topics to use with your manager or other superiors.
Making anything exciting for dinner tonight?
Do you have any books or podcasts on (insert topic here) you’d recommend?
I tried a great cafe/restaurant/other place on the weekend — have you ever been/tried it?
Do you have any holidays coming up?
What are you most looking forward to this week?
Whether you’re seeking authentic connections to make work feel that little bit more enjoyable or just want to learn to grow your professional network in a non-cheesy way, we’re pulling out a (virtual) seat for you. Get your free ticket for the Overcoming Loneliness and Thriving At Work Through Connections Webinar below.
